When the entertainment was finished, James stood. “There’s a full moon tonight, my friends. Who will join me in the garden for a look at it?”
Without the slightest hesitation, the other five paired easily and followed him onto the terrace. He noted how casually Nella tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow, and he suddenly loved the ease and rightness of it. He drew his other hand across to gather her tucked hand with his fingers.
“So what’s on the agenda for tomorrow, wife?” he asked as they were walking down the pebbled path.
“If the weather is agreeable, I thought we’d go for a carriage ride in the afternoon. The girls want to see the shop at that wonderful glass manufactory just beyond the village. Then, in the evening, we’ll put a fire in the library and play whist. How does that sound?”
“Perfect. Candleton and Pomeroy just mentioned today that they hadn’t seen all of Colworth Abbey. This will give me the opportunity to show off my estate when we take the south road over to the factory.”
“Oh, good,” she said. “Then, the next evening I thought we might dance.”
James drew them to a stop, looked up at the moon, and smiled. “Wait a moment. You’ve told me repeatedly we don’t dance.”
“Well, that’s true. We don’t dance. But you do, and so do the rest. I’ll play, you’ll dance. With Rosamonde and Patricia.”
“So who’s going to play for you to dance?”
“Nobody,” Nella smiled. “Because I can’t dance.”
He stepped in front of her, knowing disbelief was written all over his face. “What?”
“It’s sad but true, husband. I cannot dance.”
“Now wait a moment, wife. You paint like a professional artist. You play the piano as well as anyone I’ve ever heard. In fact, you play for the Queen. You organize events as if you’ve done it your entire life. And you have a personality that makes people feel comfortable after just meeting you. So please be so kind as to explain why it is that you cannot dance? I thought every young lady was taught to dance from the time they could walk. Isn’t that the first thing you are taught, along with embroidery and painting and playing the piano?”
“Most females are, I’m sure. But I was the oldest of Father’s four daughters. Mother had already passed away, and Father didn’t have much time to devote to our social lives. Instead, he hired a dance instructor to teach us, but he didn’t see the necessity of putting out money to pay for an accompanist when I could fill the roll. So, I was recruited as the accompanist. I played the piano and my sisters learned to dance. I suppose he thought I would learn by watching, but it didn’t seem to work.”
“Oh hallelujah! I’m ecstatic there is something I can actually do for you, then. Something which I will happily undertake. I will hire a dance instructor and an accompanist and you will learn to dance. Or better yet,” he said without thinking, “we will go to London for the Season and attend every ball. We will dance every dance together and you will—”
The full moon came from behind a cloud and he saw the color leave her face.
“No. We will not.”
“I’m sorry, Nella. I didn’t think. I…forgot.”
She was silent for several moments, then said, “We should continue. The others are getting far ahead of us.”
“Yes, they are.” He looped her arm through his. “Come. We’ll catch them up soon enough.”
Nella walked down the path as if she was racing to run away from his remarks.
James regretted his comments. After his experience in London two weeks ago, he would never put Nella through the humiliation. How could he have made such a ridiculous suggestion? He was a complete cad.
~■~
Nella woke the next morning and raced across the room. She reached the washstand bowl just in time to cast up the contents of her stomach. Wary lest it happen again, she clutched her middle and went back to lie down. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to get up, but whatever sickness had struck her left after an hour or so and she felt altogether better.
She was glad. She’d so looked forward to touring the estate. There were several places she’d not yet seen.
She dressed, then went down to break her fast.
Everyone had already eaten and had gone to the library to relax before it was time to leave the house.
“Are you all right?” her husband asked when he entered the room and looked at her.
“Yes, of course. I’m fine.”
“You seem pale. And there are dark circles beneath your eyes.”
“I…um…didn’t sleep well last night. That’s all.”
“All the stress of the last two weeks is wearing on you, I dare say.”
“No, I’m fine. Truly.”
“Well, sit down and have some breakfast.”
James led her to the table, then went to the sideboard and started to fill a plate.
“I’ll just have some toast,” she said. The thought of eating any more turned her stomach.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’m sure.”
“Perhaps you’d like to go up to your room and rest until it’s time to leave.”
The thought of doing just that was most desirable, but she couldn’t. She had guests to see to, and her husband would only think her weak if she neglected her company.
James put his hand to her forehead then removed it. “You’re not overly warm, Nella.”
“Of course not. I’m not ill.”
“Very well.” He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.
Her heart wanted to leap for joy when he showed her just that little display of affection. It was everything she’d wished for.
“Join our guests, James. I’ll be there in a moment.”
“Very well.”
And he left.
Nella drank her tea and ate a bite of dry toast. By the time everyone was ready to leave, she felt much better.
She wasn’t sure what she’d eaten the night before to upset her stomach so, but she vowed never to eat it again.
~■~
James watched Nella as they rode in the open carriage. Her two friends were with her while he, Candleton, and Pomeroy rode their horses.
“What is that?” she asked from the carriage.
James rode closer. “What is what?” he asked.
“That stone wall over there.” Nella pointed to the only remaining wall of a crumbling structure.
“It’s part of the old stone quarry. They cut squares for the original part of Colworth Abbey here and hauled them to the manor house.”
“And what is that?” she asked, pointing to a small cottage.
“That’s where the overseer of the quarry lived. It’s been vacant for years now, though.”
“Might we go inside?” Lady Patricia asked.
“If you wish. But no one’s been there for years so I can’t guarantee what it looks like inside.”
“That’s all right,” she said, prompting James to order the driver to take them to the cottage.
“Oh, look,” Nella said when they entered the small cottage. “Are you sure no one’s been here for a long time?”
“I didn’t think so, but perhaps someone has. Or at least they’ve been here to tidy up.”