Already His (The Caversham Chronicles - Book Two) (22 page)

“What makes you think that?” Elise very much wanted Beverly to be right in her assessment.

“I saw him come in from the terrace right behind you. I assumed....”

“You’re mistaken. I wasn’t with him. Edgcumbe wanted to see grandmother’s roses.” At Beverly’s look of skepticism, she quickly justified herself. “I really did think he was interested in the garden.” Realization dawned on her with flaming embarrassment. “Oh, goodness... then he heard....”

“Heard what?” Beverly asked.

“Michael must have heard Edgcumbe propose marriage.”

“What?” The shock and disbelief on Beverly’s face almost caused Elise to break into laughter. “You’re joking!”

“That’s what I told Edgcumbe,” Elise said somberly. “Only I didn’t know Michael was nearby. He must have heard the entire exchange.”

“Oh, I’m willing to bet he did. This is perfect! Elise, don’t you see, Plan B has landed the fish.”

“I don’t see how you come to that conclusion, but I do plan on enjoying myself at his estate. Supposedly the previous earl had an excellent stable.”

“As soon as you return to Town, I want to hear all the details because I think there is a great deal more to this. He’s luring you to his estate for a reason, Elise. Think about it, his mother and sisters will all be visiting while you are there. Lord Camden has something planned. I’m sure of it.”

“No,” she replied. “He’s been a good friend to my brother since their childhood. We’re just going out to celebrate his mother’s birthday.” Elise could only dare to dream that he might consider her as a bride, but she didn’t hold out hope. He’d already said there could be no future for them. Then again, last night his behavior was wickedly seductive, asking her to dance the way he did, sent shivers racing through her body. And this was after he’d overheard Edgecumbe’s proposal.

Perhaps Beverly was right. The idea held some merit. One usually wanted what one could not have. Elise just had to make herself less available to him.

They spoke more about the previous night’s ball, and soon it was time for Beverly to leave. After she gave her thanks once again to her host and hostess for their patronage, she bid a tearful goodbye and climbed into her father’s carriage and left for Mayfair.

Elise checked the time and ran to her room to change for her ride with Sinclair today. She’d told him she would meet him at ten, and it was nearly that now. She called for a groom and a quiet gelding, not knowing what she might find with Sinclair’s horses, and her geldings were preferable to have in a training situation than the unfinished mare she’d been working with.

She found Sinclair resting his team in a shady spot near the Serpentine. That in itself told her he at least cared for their comfort. When she approached, the horses didn’t appear to be breathing as hard as the last time she saw them.

“Good morning, Mister Sinclair,” she greeted as she rode up to his phaeton.

“Good day to you Lady Elise,” Sinclair replied, and tipped his hat in her direction. His team began to come alive as she rode up, expecting to work again.

“You have a nice-looking team there, can you tell me what you know about them and if you don’t mind, I’d like to drive them. While I do, you can either wait here or ride my groom’s horse.” She smiled and motioned back to her groom who rested, mounted on his horse, some twenty feet away. “So, tell me what issues you are having and I will see if I can help.”

After a few minutes of discussion, Elise took the reins of Sinclair’s team as he held her horse and waited. She drove his phaeton twice around the track and realized the problems were caused by a lack of familiarity, being that the team were a recent purchase.

Elise pulled up to where Sinclair stood and drew the team to a stop. She handed the reins to her groom as she pulled the brake and climbed down unassisted. She turned to Mr. Sinclair with a smile. “Your new pair are a nice match. One has more training than the other. Given time, they should do just fine for you. Your veteran horse on the right is very steady and forgiving, not flustered by distractions and whatnot, and the younger horse on the left looks to his partner for reassurance. That’s good. Your gelding on the left is softer in the mouth than your veteran on the right, which also makes a good placement in the hitch as most people are heavier-handed on the right.”

“I am left-handed, my lady,” Sinclair said.

“I hadn’t noticed, sir.” Elise thought about it a moment, then continued, “Then try switching their position in the hitch to see if that helps. You could unintentionally be heavier in the younger horse’s mouth. If you’re constantly preventing him from doing what you’re asking by holding him back, then telling him he’s misbehaved for not doing it, then who is at fault?”

“You could be right. I hadn’t considered something as simple as left-right positioning.”

“I’m not sure that is the only problem you’re having, but start with that, and after I return from the country, we will chat again. Sometimes a tiny change can make a world of difference for both the horse and driver.” He nodded, telling her he understood. She added, “relax and loosen your hold on your reins a bit. If you hold it tight, then the horse will think there is something to be frightened of and work themselves into a nervous lather. That is why you had to exercise them so hard—to wear them into quiet submission.”

“Ho, there, Lady Elise! How jolly good to see you again.” Elise turned to see a young man she’d just recently met, Mr. Carroll, riding up on a big black hunter that was nicely balanced and muscled. Not unlike his owner, she thought.

“Why Mr. Carroll, how are you,” she said as he neared. “I was just helping my friend, Lord Sinclair with his team. He’s just recently purchased them and was having a little difficulty with the younger of the two.” She took the reins of her horse as Sinclair went around to take the reins of his team from her groom.

Elise made the introductions, and the two men gave a polite, if terse nod of the head in greeting. She mounted her horse with her groom’s assistance, and arranged her skirt before taking the reins from the groom.

“I’d heard you were a fair hand with a horse,” Mr. Carroll said. “It’s rare to find a woman with such knowledge.”

“Yes, well, I’ve loved animals since I was a child,” she said.

“Lady Elise, I shall be on my way,” Sinclair said.

“Think about what I have said, and if you’d like we can meet after I return from the country.”

Sinclair nodded. “I will do as you say, my lady, thank you.” Sinclair climbed into his phaeton and gathered his reins. “I look forward to our next encounter.” His eyes slid over to Carroll’s then back to her. “To follow up on the team’s training of course.”

Elise smiled at Sinclair who’s team was already in motion. “You are welcome, sir. You can tell me of your progress then.”

Sinclair tipped his hat toward her. “Good day, my lady,” he said, then cued his team to a smooth trot.

Mr. Carroll looked at her through an apologetic grin, and said, “I hope he didn’t leave on my account.”

“Lord Sinclair is very polite and shy. Not the outgoing sort.” Elise mounted her horse with her groom’s assistance, and once settled in her saddle. “It must have taken a great amount of courage to ask a lady for help, and so I was happy to oblige him.”

Mr. Carroll nodded as he watched Sinclair’s phaeton round a bend in the track. “Well, Lady Elise, I’ll not keep you.” He looked over to her groom and nodded. “Good day, my lady. I hope we shall see each other soon.”

“Good day to you too, Mr. Carroll,” she said, then cued her horse for home. She had just enough time to have luncheon before she was to meet Michael for her second ride of the day.

She and Michael had gone through the entire Regent Park twice looking for the children, and after not finding them, Elise said, “You see? It is as I thought. They are not here.” She gave him a smile and tapped her mare with her stick and cantered off.

Michael caught up with her and slowed them down. “You will make a fine mother one day Elise. I meant to tell you as much after seeing you with those children last week.”

She wanted to tell him,
I don’t want children if I can’t have yours,
but knew it would be too shockingly forward, even if it was the truth. Instead she said, “Thank you, Michael. I do hope to be blessed with many children one day.”

They walked their horses side by side, not speaking but enjoying the quiet companionship until they reached Caversham House.

“What are your plans for the evening, my lady?”

“I believe we are staying in and preparing for our trip tomorrow.”

“Then I shall see you for dinner,” he replied.

Elise debated taking dinner in her room that night, but decided against it. Michael was up to something and she wanted to find out what. He was being far too solicitous toward her of late. And that was not normal for Michael. And with the family leaving for his estate in the morning for Lady Richard’s birthday, Elise wanted to know what she’d be walking into. When he followed her into the house and went toward Ren’s office, Elise climbed the steps to her room. Once there she called for a bath, then opened her chiffarobe and tried to decide on a gown for dinner.

M
onday morning dawned warm and humid, with the sun making a valiant attempt at burning off the overnight fog. Elise breakfasted in her rooms, having overslept from spending a sleepless night too excited for the coming week ahead. She entered the dining room and greeted her sister-in-law cheerfully, asking if everything was alright. Her grandmother, and brother’s absence were noted.

“I think it is now,” Lia said, never looking up from her coffee cup. “I wasn’t so sure a few minutes ago.”

Elise thought the reply odd and took a seat across the table from her. “What is keeping us from leaving?”

“Your brother and Michael went into his office about thirty minutes ago. At first I thought I heard yelling, then a crash. I went to see what had happened. When I approached the closed doors, I heard laughter, so I came back here to wait.”

Lady Sewell’s maid appeared at the corner of the table and curtsied to Lia. “Ma’am,” the girl said, “Her ladyship has bid me to inform you she is not feeling well. She says not to change your plans, but to leave without her and she will follow you tomorrow.” When she’d finished she bobbed another quick curtsy and when Lia nodded, the girl left the room.

Lia lifted her fine china cup and finished her coffee, returning the cup to the matching saucer before standing. “I’ll go check on her, and collect Marcus and his nurse.”

Elise nodded. “Do you think Ren is canceling the trip?”

“No,” Lia said. “I heard laughter. So whatever the issue was, they seem to have worked it out.”

“Fine.” Elise said, “I’ll just go back to my room and read until we’re ready to leave.”

Just as she spoke the words her brother and Michael entered the dining room, both men smiling. “That won’t be necessary,” Ren said. “You and Michael go ahead. Lia and I will follow along in the morning with Grandmother and Marcus.”

Elise did not miss the look of surprise and bewilderment that crossed her sister-in-law’s face.

“That’s quite all right,” Elise said “I’ll wait until tomorrow and leave with the rest of you.”

“I would rather you have Grandmother with you,” Ren said, glancing at Lia and nodding. “Since she is not feeling well this morning, the two of you go on ahead.” Her brother turned his gaze on her. “You’ll be fine.” He then looked over at Michael, giving him a hard stare. “She will be unharmed. You gave your word.”

“I am wounded, Your Grace,” Michael said through his smile.

Lia opened her mouth to speak, but Elise jumped in. “I’m sorry. No.” Elise shook her head for emphasis and moved to stand behind Lia’s chair, as though her petite sister-in-law could physically protect her. “I will not. Perhaps at one time I might have agreed to this, but not now. I am
wise
to him.” She continued to shake her head. “It’s a ploy. He’s repaying me for all my years of tormenting him. He’s repaying me by ruining me. Making it so no other will marry me, or worse—do something so scandalous that I get permanent banishment.” She implored her brother, “Please, don’t make me go!”

“Husband, do you think this is wise?” Lia asked as she reached a hand out for Elise.

Ren turned a reassuring smile to his wife. “It will be fine,” he told Lia. Then he turned back to her. “Elise, he’s not going to do anything—” At this Ren glared at Michael. “—besides show you Woodhenge.” His expressions softened when he returned his gaze to her. “His sisters and mother should be there already, so you’ll have appropriate chaperons once you arrive.”

She turned and glared at Michael. “You did this. I don’t know how, but you did this. Just like that night at the theater. You’re behind this.” Taking her basket of kittens she marched out down the hall without a look back at either of the two men.

Michael smiled to his future brother and sister-in-law, happy Ren agreed to the one day head start. “Isn’t she beautiful when she’s angry?”

“She’s still my sister and until you’re wed,
I
am her protector. Don’t make me sorry I did this. You’re my best friend and though it might pain me to do so, I’ll call you out if you hurt her.”

Michael hugged Lia and shook his future brother-in-law’s hand, and said, “My coaches will be here in the morning. Again, I thank you, both.”