The Seventh Suitor (16 page)

“Certainly, Miss Montgomery,” Thomas responded. “There is no mystery to teaching. It requires only the desire, knowledge, and a vast quantity of patience.”

“Ah, well, patience is not one of my attributes, as you have seen. But I could try. Do all the servants at Winter Manor know how to read?” she asked curiously.

“Most of them. Lord Winterton employs children from the school sometimes, and my brother’s wife teaches those others who wish to learn.”

“Your brother lives nearby?”

“He has the living at Stasby,” Thomas explained. “His wife takes it as her responsibility to do for the minds what my brother attempts to do for the souls. Perhaps you could talk with her when you return from London.”

“I should like that. Thank you, Mr. Single, for all the help you’ve given me.”

“It has been my pleasure, Miss Montgomery, I assure you. I seldom get the opportunity to hear the Earl scolded.” He shook hands with her solemnly and escorted her and Betsy to their waiting carriage. “Enjoy your trip to London.”

Chapter 14

The Montgomerys set out for London with an impressive entourage. Mrs. Montgomery, Kate, and Susan rode in the traveling carriage, followed by Ralph with a groom in the repaired curricle, and Mr. Montgomery mounted on his favorite stallion. A further carriage followed with various servants and luggage piled high and tied on. Bringing up the rear were several grooms who would proceed at a slower pace to bring the Montgomery horses forward when they were changed after the second stage each day.

The procession started early on a sunny day in late March, and Susan felt decidedly ill with the excitement, the anticipation, and the swaying of the carriage. Kate drew forth several guide books from the bundle at her feet and enlisted Susan’s help in identifying various landmarks as they progressed. Kate kept up a flow of discourse on her previous travels and their amusing aspects while Susan grew accustomed to the motion. By the time the first change was made at the White Lion in Bath, Susan looked better and Mrs. Montgomery was so familiar with the movement that she was dozing easily.

After luncheon in Pickwick, Mr. Montgomery joined them in the carriage. They passed the hamlet of Cross Keys and climbed Rowden Hill toward Chippenham with its narrow streets and balustraded bridge over the Avon. Kate spent most of the afternoon pointing out the sights and discussing London ways with Susan. They saw the White Horse carved in chalk near Cherhill and the Lansdowne Column; Kate talked of the strange Silbury Hill and the Druid stones at Avebury. Eventually Susan fell asleep, and Kate produced a volume of
Sense and Sensibility
from her bundle and proceeded to read until they began to draw close to Marlborough, where they were to dine and spend the night.

Ralph had passed them along the way and had arranged matters at The Castle, and Kate smiled gratefully at him as they went directly to their rooms to refresh themselves before their meal. Although the rest of the family were content to rest quietly before retiring early, Kate urged Ralph to walk about the town with her, for she was desirous of some exercise after a whole day cooped up in the carriage.

It was growing dark, and Kate was intrigued by the lights to the east of town, so she and Ralph directed their steps in that direction. Coming around the spur of the hill at the entrance to town, they were fascinated by the spectacle of a gypsy encampment—white tents, caravans, fires burning, bronzed figures in brightly colored clothes. As Kate began to ascend the steep hill for a closer look, Ralph expostulated, “Don’t think you should, Kate. Rather wild-looking people. Haven’t a weapon with me.”

“Pooh. We shall come to no harm. I would like a closer look, and I’ll be bound you would, too,” she retorted.

Since he could not deny this obvious truth, they trudged nearer to the encampment and were greeted by an old, wrinkled woman who pressed them to let her tell their fortunes. Ralph was aghast at such a suggestion, but Kate, with glowing eyes, said, “I should like to know what she has to say, Ralph,” and seated herself on the offered stool.

The wizened ancient took her hand and studied it, a variety of expressions crossing her countenance. Ralph looked on with amusement and some anxiety but said nothing.

Finally the gypsy spoke, her voice a musical singsong. “You do not know your heart, but you shall. The past is buried but must be explained. Do not be afraid, for your heart has chosen wisely; your head must be guided by it.” She stopped speaking abruptly and honored Kate with a gap-toothed smile.

“Thank you,” Kate said, handing the woman a half crown. “I shall consider your words carefully.”

As they turned away, Ralph whispered, “I should think you’d have to. Couldn’t have meant a thing far as I can see.”

Kate’s brow puckered in a puzzled frown. “Perhaps not, but I
feel
she spoke directly to me.” Kate shrugged her thinly clad shoulders in a gesture of dismissal. “Let’s return. Mama will fret if we are long, and we make an early start in the morning.”

Ralph dismissed the gypsy from his mind immediately, but Kate tossed in her unfamiliar bed and considered the words thoughtfully. She could put only one interpretation on them, and this she refused to believe. Her cheeks felt hot with embarrassment even at contemplating such a thing. Oh, it is all nonsense, she told herself fiercely. How can I be such a pea-goose? Gypsies! I had as soon consult chicken scratchings. Nevertheless, it was several hours before she slept.

They made an even earlier start the second day, and Kate pointed out the gypsy encampment to Susan as the carriage labored up the steep and badly surfaced Forest Hill. Even as she spoke, the old gypsy fortuneteller, who was brewing something over an open fire, turned around and gazed directly at her, making a gesture of farewell. Kate returned the gesture with a smile and called Susan’s attention to the Savernake Forest of beeches and oaks which massed along the roadside. They had luncheon at the King’s Head in Thatcham and pushed on to the Bear at Maidenhead for dinner and the night. Susan had recovered her usual spirits by now and was not disturbed by Kate’s unusual silence.

On the third and last day of their journey to town Susan was unable to contain her excitement and Kate indulgently encouraged her, though she did not neglect to point out The Windmill on Salt Hill where the Four-in-Hand Club made their periodic grand parades nor fail to relate the grisly history of the Ostrich in Colnbrook. On the other hand Kate did not urge Ralph to allow her to drive his curricle over one of the stages as she had planned, though she did ride with him for the last few miles to arrive at the house in Brook Street ahead of the rest of the party.

Kate was pleased with the stately dark brick residence they now approached.

The exquisitely detailed wrought-iron fence and the two colonnades complemented the square stone lintels and the round and triangular pediments over the full-length windows. The entry was dignified without being overly imposing; the door opened as they arrived. Sampson descended the stairs with proper London gravity to welcome Kate and her brother, informed them that the servants’ carriage had arrived these two hours past, having made an earlier start, and that things were in a way to being ordered as quickly as possible.

The calm of the exterior was belied by the bustle within. Trucks and portmanteaux were being carried hurriedly from the entry hall to various rooms up the grand staircase. Kate wandered from room to room, impressed with how well Lady Stockton had done by them. The furniture was elegant and the decor subdued. It was the perfect atmosphere from which to launch Susan in society. Although the Montgomerys could make no pretentions to the
haut ton,
Lady Stockton was determined that under her patronage Susan should have the entree to all but the very grandest homes.

By the time the remainder of the family arrived, Kate and Butterfield had organized the proper distribution of the luggage, maids were hanging gowns in wardrobes, and footmen were looking to the dispersal of the servants’ belongings. The cook had already embarked on preparation of the evening meal, and meanwhile had produced a magnificent tea to revive the travelers.

“Such a delightful house!” Mrs. Montgomery exclaimed. “Not at all the sort of place available to be let in my day. I must write a note to Lady Stockton without delay to thank her.” She nibbled a biscuit as she appreciatively ran her eye over the admirable proportions of the drawing room, the marble fireplace, and the delicate plasterwork of the ceiling. Her sigh of contentment brought a grin to Susan’s expressive countenance.

“You know, Kate, Mama had rather expected shabby furniture and mice in the floorboards.”

“I’m not surprised. It is unnerving to let a house without seeing it,” Kate replied. “But we should have known that Lady Stockton would find the best to be had. Shall we walk in the park for a while? It is but a step, and it will give you some ideas for our shopping expedition tomorrow.”

“I should not go out in these rags,” Susan giggled, “but I cannot bear to sit here when there is so much to be seen. Give me ten minutes to look out a bonnet and mantelet.”

Their stroll in the park was overwhelming for Susan. Country-bred and never having been to London before, she was quite overcome by the ostentatious costumes sported there and somewhat amused by many of them.

“I know you’ll wish to be dressed in the first stare,” Kate informed her, “but I cannot see you choosing anything pretentious. There is one thing I would mention, though. In our neighborhood you have known all the men since you were born, and you can trust them to behave as they ought. But I beg you will be cautious here in town. There are charming rogues and handsome scapegraces. It is the mode for them to be flattering and well-mannered, and it is not easy to resist such attention.”

“I’m sure I could not,” Susan sighed.

“Let me tell you a trick I have always used. It is not infallible, but it has helped me more than once. I ask myself, ‘Would Papa approve of him?’ If the answer is no, it is no difficult matter to ease him off. If I can honestly say that Papa would approve of him, well, then I just enjoy myself, as you will. But you are a very attractive young woman, Susan, and you will have more young men to judge.”

Their discussion was interrupted by the arrival of a curricle driven by a jubilant Lord Norris. “Famous!” he cried. “I did not know you had arrived in town as yet, though I had been wondering how long I must wait to call when you did.” He jumped down from the curricle when his groom arrived at the horses’ heads.

“Charles, how nice it is to see a familiar face,” Kate greeted him.

Susan smiled shyly when he turned from her sister to take her hand. “We arrived only an hour or so ago, but Kate and I thought a walk in the park would be beneficial. And so it has been,” she concluded without giving any indication as to whether this approbation referred to the chance of fresh air, the sight of the current fashions, or the fortuitous meeting with Lord Norris himself.

“It must have been a slow and tiring journey with the whole household,” he commiserated. “How is your house?”

“I think we shall find it quite comfortable,” Susan replied. “In fact, it is lovely.”

“May I call tomorrow?” Charles asked, turning his gaze to Kate.

“Of course, but not early, for we shall be shopping a good part of the day. Come for tea late in the afternoon,” Kate suggested.

“I shall look forward to it. I must not keep the horses standing any longer,” Charles said, anxiously glancing at the prancing pair. “Give my regards to your parents and Ralph.”

When he had driven off Susan asked softly, “Would Papa approve of him?”

Kate smiled gently and took her sister’s hand to press it comfortingly. “Of course he would, goose. But you are both young, and it will do neither of you any harm to make sure of your minds. And to get a little town polish,” she added with a smile.

Susan said no more as they headed back toward the house, and Kate did not wish to interrupt her thoughts. Since it would be less than a year before Charles reached his majority, it did not really matter if Winterton approved the match, Kate thought. And, besides, she was probably silly to have thought he would do so in any case.

* * * *

The first days of their stay flew by in a whirl of shopping, fittings, and making calls upon their acquaintances in the city. Kate immediately attended to the matter of finding a printer for the book and was excited at the prospect of returning home with the finished product. Ralph continued about his business absently, but did not speak to his sister about Charity. He haunted Tattersall’s and talked with every knowledgeable man about breeding horses; he drank sparingly and gambled occasionally with his former friends from London. When the entire family attended the theater with Lady Stockton’s party, they encountered Patrick O’Rourke.

He made his way with his usual astonishing speed to their box during the first intermission. One moment they noticed him across the way in a box with several other people, and the next he was at the door of their own box, greeting Kate eloquently.

“Miss Montgomery, sure an’ I’ve never seen a lovelier sight! Bewitching! And here have I been just this evening telling the leprechaun I found in my coach that you might come to London. He told me it was highly unlikely, so we made a small wager. I shall be pleased to inform him of my success.” The handsome young man grinned engagingly and finally released the hand which he had been pumping during his monologue.

“Ah, Mr. O’Rourke, ‘tis the blarney you have for sure,” Kate teased him. “Let me introduce you to Lady Stockton and the rest of the party.” When these introductions had been performed, and a great deal of easy flattery had poured forth, accepted in the spirit in which it was given, Kate found that Susan had not forgotten her plans for Mr. O’Rourke. She and Laura changed places inconspicuously while Kate and Mr. O’Rourke discussed various members of his large family. When he turned to include Susan in the conversation, a puzzled frown momentarily creased his brow, but he said politely, “And is this to be your first season?”