The Muse (40 page)

On time, one hour later, he took in the view of her as she exited the dressing room attired for their planned equestrian activity.  “That is my favourite one of your riding dresses.  The colour is so rich and suits you perfectly. You certainly know how to choose an outfit,
chérie,
” he said admiringly.

Imogene had chosen her brown velvet habit this day.  It was a deep reddish brown, reminiscent of shimmering bronze, embellished with teal blue enhancements.  The top sported a white false shirt underneath the tightly fitted bodice.  The matching hat was trimmed with a teal blue veil and her gloves also dyed the same colour.

“Thank you, my darling, I am glad you fancy it.”  She peered at him with bedevilment.  “You look quite smart yourself, but then I have always been captivated by your outward charms.  Those green eyes, that long hair, those burly muscles, your manly visage—”

He hushed her with a kiss and some silent laughter.  “All right, all right, no need for sauciness or I might have to take you back to bed.”

“I am sure you would like just such an excuse.”  She pushed at him.  “But now, we must go out into society and you will have to behave yourself,” she said, wrapping her arm under his, “and so will I.”

“You are quite right, Lady Rothvale, as always.  Shall we sally forth?”  Graham’s heart was light as he walked her down to the breakfast room of Everfell.

“The weather is quite perfect today for your riding.  I shall miss being outdoors on such a fine day,” Mina remarked over breakfast.

“Darling, I feel that we should not all abandon you.  I will stay,” Jules told his wife decidedly.

“Oh no, you will not.  I wish you to go.  I know you want to ride with your cousin and I will not have it any other way.  I am firm in this, Julian.  You are going!”

The others shared looks all around, feeling somewhat discomfited at leaving their hostess behind, when Imogene found sudden inspiration.  “Mina, have you ever shot targets, with a bow and arrow?”

“I confess I have not.”

“Would you like to?  I could teach you if you wish.  It is so lovely out today.  It would make for excellent sport and is quiet enough not to tax you physically.  I thought ahead and have brought my bows.  I have been waiting for good weather to start up again.  Elle, what about you?”

Mina beamed, “I would love that, Imogene.  It sounds most enjoyable to be outside, and I would be eager to take a lesson in shooting from you.  We’ll see how I do.”

“And, Elle, would you like it?” Imogene asked.

“I would.  I did a little target shooting at school and it
was
good sport.  I’d like to give it another try.”

“An excellent proposition, Imogene, thank you,” Jules said warmly.  “I’ll speak to Falcon before we head out and have him fashion some targets for you.  He might even be able to rummage up some equipment from the carriage house.  He’ll know if anybody does.”

“Old Falcon is still with us?” Graham asked.  “The Gamekeeper of Everfell…he was old when we were boys,” he reminisced.

“Oh yes.  He’s still with us.  Refuses to give up his post.  Knows I would give him a free cottage and maintain him in retirement, but will not hear of it.  Graham, remember when we used to help him gather the pheasant eggs for setting under the hens?  He would always call us out for the hatching of the chicks so we could see what our efforts had wrought.”

“I do remember, Jules.  Falcon was always so proud of us if we could find the eggs and get them in without breaking any.”  He looked at Imogene. “We used to compete for who could bring in the most eggs.”

“Who won?”  All three ladies asked at the same time.

Jules laughed at their eagerness.  “That’s an easy question to answer.  Graham, for certain.  He would find more nests than I, and was far more gentle and patient in transporting the eggs.  I always broke a few in my enthusiasm.  I can’t recall you ever breaking any,” he remarked wistfully to his cousin.

Graham shrugged. “I don’t know about that, but I should like to say hello to Falcon while I’m here.  He was good to us, tolerating our irritating childish presence.  I hold very happy memories of him.” He was thoughtful before looking to Imogene, a smile appearing on his face.

“I know, when we grow tired of target shooting, we can go into the wood and hunt eggs!  It sounds ever so sporting.  This is the time they’d be laying, isn’t it?  We can see who gets the most!” Imogene suggested excitedly.

Everybody laughed.  Graham remarked to their hosts, “Did you know that my wife is very competitive?  She likes to win.”

“Well you’d better let her then, if you know what’s good for you,” Jules told him.

Graham did not favour his cousin with a reply.  Instead he turned to Imogene and said, “I would love to hunt eggs with you,
chérie
.  It sounds perfect.”

And yet again, Graham and Imogene achieved the look the others were growing accustomed to.  They shared a look between them, just for them, and were, as always, unaware of the bemused glances of the others at the breakfast table that morning.

MINA was a natural with a bow, taking to it most enthusiastically. Elle put up a great effort as well.  Imogene was a patient instructor and seemed delighted in sharing her knowledge of the sport with her friends once again.  Old Falcon fashioned targets for them and even managed to dredge out a few more bows from somewhere.  He had them oiled, restrung and ready for use when the riders returned.

“Thank you for this, Jules,” Graham said as they sat on the lawn and watched the ladies take to their sport.  “It feels most satisfying to just be here with Imogene.  I’m grateful you insisted on a visit.  I did not realize how much I needed to reconnect with my family.”  He was quiet for a moment.  “For the first time in a great long while, I am happy.”

“It’s most evident, Graham, and everybody is happy for you.  I am glad you are here with us, as well.  And even better when Colin arrives for Elle does so adore him.”

“Is she completely recovered from her trauma at the hands of Odem—ugh—I cannot even say the blackguard’s name, he is so low.”

“Yes, I think so.  I worry though of her exposure to him again, and of being reminded of her hurt.  It is bound to happen eventually.  Odeman has wreaked more disaster since you’ve been away.  He ruined a girl in Kent, caused her death.  She was from a good family, a distant relation of Mina’s.  I tried to help, but there was little I could do.  I still shudder to think that it could have been Elle.”

“Poor girl.” Graham sighed.  “Poor you.  I am so sorry, Jules, it must have brought back such dreadful memories.  I cannot imagine having to bargain with that miscreant.” 
Careful…you may have to bite back those words.  This latest concern has the full stink of Ralph Odeman all over it.

Jules said pensively, “It is amazing what you’ll do for the ones you love.”

“True…so true.” Graham had to agree.

THE following day the weather proved finer than the day before it.  Another round of target shooting for the ladies, and a picnic luncheon was enjoyed on the lawn.  “It was so engaging to hear your music last night,” Imogene remarked.  “You both play and sing so well,” she complimented Elle and Mina.  “It is one thing we are sorely lacking at Gavandon I fear.  I never learnt to play or sing.  And Graham does not sing as far as I know.  He has never sung any songs to me in any case.  He has read me beautiful poems—but no songs,” she said adoringly, placing her gaze upon him.

“Would you like for me to sing to you,
chérie
?  I could make a concerted effort just for you,” Graham said cryptically.  “I don’t know if you would like it though.  What do you say, Jules?  Should I sing for my wife?”

“Probably not. Listening to you croak out a tune might cause her to lose some of her affection for you, or at the very least, abandon the picnic.”  Jules leaned toward Imogene. “He has no musical ability whatsoever.  To that I can attest.  In our school days Graham would always stand betwixt Hargreave and me during the hymn singing.  After suffering the poisonous glares of the choir master, we finally convinced him to just move his mouth and keep quiet.  Worked like a charm and there were no more problems after that.”

Imogene laughed out loud at the thought of Graham duping the choir master.  She adored hearing about his boyhood and was grateful for these little windows into his past. “Oh, my darling, I promise I will not abandon you if you should suddenly feel the urge to break out in song.  I
will
stand by you, on my honor.  I feel I must defend you in any case as I have no more musical ability than you do.”

“But you make up for it in other ways.  Isn’t that right, Imogene?” Jules asked.

“Oh, absolutely she does.  Imogene rules the drawing room in after-dinner conversation, most assuredly,” Graham attested.

She was puzzled by their comments, thinking herself to be usually quiet and rather prone to listening more so than talking.  She looked at them both questioningly.

Jules continued, “You know, charming and manipulating depraved but celebrated poets, be they blood relation or merely deigning to flattery.”

“What is that you’re saying, Julian?” Mina inquired, her curiosity piqued.

“Tell us what you mean,” Elle implored.

“Well, Graham was telling me that our poet celebrity, Lord
Byron,
descended upon them at Gavandon quite unexpectedly, claimed kinship with Imogene, and sat for his portrait,” Jules said.

They gasped and Imogene blushed, shaking her head as Graham regaled the ladies of the tale of Byron’s visit.  “She had him eating out of her hand.  It was a delight to watch the whole scene unfold.  I am convinced she could charm the skin off a snake.  It certainly was so with Byron, and he never even knew it.” Graham finished with an admiring look at Imogene.

“And the portrait?  How did it turn out?” Mina asked.

“Magnificent.  Mallerton is very gifted.  He is painting Imogene’s portrait right now and it’s nearly done.  Everyone has seen it but me.”

Jules interjected, “I should like Mina’s portrait painted.  Do you think—?”

Graham cut him off abruptly. “Absolutely not, Jules.  You cannot have Mallerton.  I have far too many projects for him in progress right now.  If I allow precedence and let him leave Gavandon, he might never return.  No,” he said decidedly, “you must find your own artist, you cannot have mine.”

“So you won’t let him off the property even?”

“I might concede he can paint Mina, only if you come to stay with us at Gavandon.  He can paint her there.  That’s as fair a bargain as you will get on the matter, I promise you.”

“Is that an invitation, Cousin?”

“Of course.  You are welcome to come anytime you wish.  We are decided against a London Season this year.  I’m just not ready.  We may take in the seaside and go to Marlings in the late summer, though.”

“I love Marlings.  I haven’t been there since Aunt Mary was alive.”

“Please feel free to join us if you’d like.  There is plenty of room—the house is huge for all that it’s called a cottage.”  Graham asked quietly, “Will you take in the Season?  Are you heading to Town for any length of time?”

Jules shook his head in the negative.  “We would only go for Elle’s coming out, but she does not wish a big pother.”  He looked over at his sister pensively.