Midnight My Love (19 page)

Approaching the carriage with happy
deliberation, Sir Howard beamed upon the ladies. "I left the others
at the pond. They'll be here shortly. We've had marvelous luck this
morning, and the earl has been most pleased."

Carlisle turned his attention to Robert, who
was mounted on Titus. "Should have joined us, Turlington," he said,
then paused and stammered, "No . . . I mean . . . that's right . .
. you can't . . ." Sir Howard flushed.

Robert dismounted and stumbled a bit when he
lost his balance. Carlisle moved forward to help, but Robert shook
him off. "Go assist the ladies," he said, through gritted
teeth.

The squire recovered and
seemed only too happy to oblige. "Everything is ready for
our
alfresco
luncheon," he informed them, as he helped his guests descend
from the carriage. "I hope you don't mind, but I told Jonathan he
could join us if he promised to be on his best
behavior."

Felicia turned questioning eyes on Sir
Howard. "Who is Jonathan?"

"My son," he answered proudly.

"You never told me you had a son." She
gurgled with delighted laughter. "Why, I just adore children."

This was the first Alexandra had heard of
Lady Felicia's partiality for children. Her hand itched to slap the
beautiful face casting coquettish looks at their host.

A rapping sound from inside the carriage
drew everyone's attention. Miss Haygood sat striking the floor with
her cane. "I'm perishing from heat in here, and all you can do is
stand about gabbing." She carefully climbed down the steps of the
carriage, refusing Carlisle's hand. Fixing her eye on him, she
announced, "I've brought a special tea for luncheon. Something to
cool our parched throats in the afternoon sun."

Carlisle bowed graciously. "I'm sure your
tea will be a delightful addition to our repast, Miss Haygood."
Taking her arm, he led the way to the drawing room. "I thought you
ladies might like to refresh yourselves after your ride. Then we
shall proceed to the gardens."

They were not the first to arrive. Alexandra
saw Lady Marcella Nugent sitting near the windows, sipping a glass
of sherry. Alex thought she looked smug and complacent.

A deep, throaty laugh rang through the room.
"Carlisle, darling, you didn't tell them you invited me. You
naughty man."

Sir Howard's ears turned pink. "You must
know Lady Nugent rode over yesterday to invite Jonathan and myself
to Nugent Manor for today. I told her my plans and she said she had
not had the chance to see Turlington since his unfortunate
accident. I naturally extended an invitation to so close a
neighbor."

"Naturally," snorted Aunt Haygood softly.
Alex sincerely hoped no one had heard.

Marcella rose and walked over to Robert,
taking his hand and patting it consolingly. "So sorry about your
loss, Turlington, dear." Keeping hold of his arm, she turned and
addressed the company. "I thought we could catch up on county
gossip, since I've been out of England for ages and ages."

Alex heard Aunt Haygood sniff and mumble
something under her breath. She stared hard at her aunt, who looked
back with innocent eyes.

Jonathan came bouncing into the room and
halted near his father. "Papa, Downings says to tell you the picnic
is laid out and ready for the guests." He smiled and Alex could see
he had recently lost a tooth.

She thought Carlisle's son a delightful
child, though in need of a mother's firm hand. He was spoiled and
cosseted too much. With curly golden hair, sapphire blue eyes, and
a sprinkling of freckles across his little snub nose, he looked
like an angel. Alex knew better, though they were great
friends.

Carlisle's chest puffed out with paternal
pride. He laid a hand on his son's shoulder. "We must not forget
our manners, Jonathan. Make a proper greeting to the ladies, and
shake hands with Lord Turlington."

Jonathan executed a deep bow toward the
ladies, and went to offer his hand to Robert. He looked curiously
at the empty sleeve. "Father says you lost your arm in battle. He
says you're a hero. What did they do with your arm? Did you get to
keep it? When I lost my tooth, they gave me a box to keep it in."
He looked at Robert with huge eyes.

Robert ruffled the golden hair and squatted
down. "I'm no hero, Jonathan. And no, I didn't get to keep my
arm."

"Can you tell me about the battles?" The
child's eyes gleamed in anticipation.

Robert gripped one little shoulder firmly.
"Battles are dangerous and bloody. Many people get killed. They're
not as glorious as people make them out to be." Seeing the boy's
disappointment, he added, "Perhaps when you're older, I'll tell you
more."

Sir Howard coughed. "Jonathan, shall we
escort our guests outside?"

Jonathan skipped to Alex and extended his
elbow. She graciously took his arm and followed everyone out to the
gardens.

The park at Bramble Court was lovely in its
full bloom of summer foliage. Carlisle's servants had been busy
preparing for the outdoor feast. A long table, covered with a
brightly colored cloth, stood in the shade of a huge oak tree.
Comfortable chairs and chaise longues were set out for the
guests.

This would be no simple picnic luncheon,
Alex thought. Servants stood ready to cater to the diners. There
were baskets of bread, silver platters of cold chicken and ham, and
crystal bowls with aspics and salads. For the ladies, there was
iced lemonade--for the men, large mugs of ale.

Alexandra saw Rochdale, Garrett, and the
earl rise as everyone entered the garden. Damien and Garr were in
their shirt sleeves, their coats hung on the chair backs. Lord
Thane was an awesome sight to behold with his massive bulk encased
in a special fishing costume, which he had designed himself. His
tailor, he reported, had made it up especially for him. The earl's
waders had been relinquished in favor of comfortable slippers.

Marcella's low laughter
sounded across the gardens. "Carlisle said we'd be informal, but I
never expected everyone to be in
dishabille
."

She went forward to greet the men. Alex saw
Garr's look of disgust, but Rochdale only seemed amused. Taking
Marcella's outstretched hand, he placed a light kiss upon it.

"They told me you were staying at
Willowmede, but I couldn't believe it," Marcella said, casting a
sly look at Alex. "Why aren't you at Newmarket, dearest? Don't tell
me you haven't any horses running this year?"

Rochdale shrugged. "As a matter of fact, I
have two entered. But I've had other irons in the fire needing my
attention."

Lady Nugent latched on to Rochdale's arm. "I
think it extremely gallant of you to help Turlington, darling."

Damien merely inclined his head and deftly
disengaged himself. He helped Aunt Haygood to a seat, then began
talking to Robert.

Alexandra watched Lady Nugent tilt her chin
as she realized Rochdale had snubbed her. She didn't think Marcella
would give up her quarry so easily.

Carlisle invited everyone to gather around
the table. "Nothing awakens the appetite like a morning spent
fishing. Don't you agree, Lord Thane?" Not waiting for an answer,
he continued, "I hope everyone is hungry. Our luncheon is served."
He handed Alex into her seat, and making sure all the guests were
comfortably settled, sank into the chair beside her.

The servants began serving the food. Sir
Howard assisted Alex, offering her the choicest meats, making sure
her lemonade was chilled. She knew she must not put off her answer
to him any longer. She would speak to Carlisle about his proposal
this very day.

Felicia soon caught his attention. "Where is
this famous labyrinth you've told us so much about, Sir
Howard?"

Carlisle wiped his mouth and pointed in the
direction of some large willows. "I placed the maze over by the
gazebo. In that way, guests have a place to rest after they've
explored the labyrinth's paths."

Felicia laughed. "Surely, it cannot be such
a difficult maze?"

"It's fashioned after the labyrinth at
Hampton Court," he said. "Jonathan was fascinated by the maze when
he was just four years old, and I decided to have one built along
similar lines here."

Clapping her hands together, Felicia gazed
at him merrily. "I adore the maze at Hampton Court."

Carlisle smiled. "Well, ours is not quite so
large. And there is no custodian, I'm afraid, mounted in a
tower."

Felicia twinkled with pleasure. "I was
certainly thankful for the custodian last spring. Our party became
hopelessly lost and confused and would never have found our way out
but for the guide's help."

The squire smiled indulgently. "If you get
lost today, you have only to ring one of the many bells I've had
placed throughout the maze. Someone will come to your rescue."

"I'm anxious to try my luck," Felicia said
with a smile.

Sir Howard looked pleased. "I hope you enjoy
exploring it. Designing and overseeing the building of the
labyrinth has been my particular hobby these past few years. It's
really quite simple to solve the puzzle, once you find the key to
the solution."

Jonathan bounced up and down in his chair.
"May I tell them the secret, Papa? Please?"

Felicia smiled at the young boy. "Oh! Don't
do that, Jonathan. I know it's difficult to keep a secret, but you
wouldn't want to spoil your famous labyrinth for all of us, now
would you?"

"No," he said. "It's wonderful fun. It took
me ten tries before I got through the first time."

Sir Howard patted his son's head fondly. "He
was so determined to find the key, he refused to stop for luncheon
or tea. There are three ways out of the maze and the paths are
cleverly designed to allow for false twists and turns. This
afternoon's exploration should prove vastly entertaining."

Alex fumed as Felicia cast an appealing
glance from beneath long lashes at their host. How could she flirt
so outrageously with Carlisle in front of Robert?

Felicia smiled beguilingly. "Perhaps you
would be so kind as to escort me through the maze, Sir Howard."

Carlisle's blue eyes glowed at the prospect.
He looked quickly at Robert, who signaled his approval. "It would
be a pleasure, my dear."

Alexandra couldn't believe Felicia's
audacity. She was making it abundantly clear she cared nothing for
Robert or his feelings. Why did she persist in going through with
the engagement?

Jonathan caught Alex's attention when he
announced importantly, "I should like to escort Miss Sedgewicke
into the maze."

Jenny smiled, obviously delighted with the
child. "I would be honored, sir."

Marcella turned to Rochdale. "Shall you and
I venture into the hedges together, my lord? I shouldn't mind
getting lost with you, darling."

Alex thought her melting smile positively
cloying. She quickly took a sip of lemonade to settle the raging
jealousy in her stomach.

Damien remained silent, ignoring Marcella
and staring at Alexandra. Her fingers trembled as she set her glass
on the table and folded her hands in her lap. She was behaving
foolishly. Rochdale would never change his ways.

"Well, since everyone is pairing up," Garr
Fleming said, "I invite Alex to be my partner." He glanced sideways
at Rochdale.

Damien's brow creased in a
fierce scowl. Alex knew he was displeased. Yet if that were true,
why did
he
not
ask her into the maze? No, he would never change. Never give an
inch. She lifted her chin and smiled brilliantly at Garr. "I'd love
to be your partner."

"Pleasure is all mine," he assured her.

Alex concentrated on her
food, ignoring Damien's intense scrutiny. Why should he be angry
with her? Surely
he
wasn't jealous? At least Garr wasn't hanging all over her,
the way Marcella clung to him. Damien didn't look as if he minded
her grasping ways in the least. The lady was casting out
unmistakable lures and making her intentions perfectly obvious to
everyone.

One heated glance from Rochdale told Alex he
hadn't forgotten her. She was determined to ignore his fulminating
stares. Let him fume, she decided. It certainly could do him no
harm; perhaps it might even do some good.

Robert watched Jenny
throughout the meal. All morning she had refused to meet his gaze.
A small frown between her large gray eyes made him wonder if
something was troubling her. After the picnic, Jonathan took Jenny
into the labyrinth. Robert heard her laugh as the child guided her
through the intricate maze.

Felicia walked arm in arm with Carlisle as
he escorted her into the maze. Alex and Garr stood near the gate,
deep in conversation. Then they, too, decided to try their luck.
Everyone seemed eager to explore the botanical puzzle, Robert
thought, even though some had been through it before.

Lady Marcella persisted in trying to coax
Damien inside the complex rows of greenery. He hesitated, and
Robert realized he capitulated only after Alex and Garr entered the
maze. What was going on between Demon and Alex?

Robert found he was in no mood to explore
the labyrinth. He didn't feel up to such nonsense today. Felicia
was obviously ignoring him. She had flirted with all the other men,
especially Carlisle. That didn't bother him, but why did she insist
on continuing the engagement when she found him so lacking?
Impatiently, Robert put Felicia out of his mind. It was Jenny he
was worried about. Why was she keeping him at a distance?

Sitting on a stone bench, Robert glanced
around the gardens. Aunt Haygood sat on one of the lounge chairs
under the shade trees enjoying an afternoon nap. There was no sign
of Lord Thane; Robert suspected the earl had decamped with his fly
rod, trying his luck with the bass again.