Page 26 of Enslaved to the Seduction of a Lady
Chapter Eleven
“I’ve always loved Salsbury Manor, you know,” Teresa said as she looked into the distance. “Even before I knew who I was. I fell in love with it that night we came for—”
“The ball,” Alison said, knowing Teresa didn’t want to think of the woman who had stolen her identity for so many years.
“Yes,” Teresa said, looking at her hands. “The ball.”
“It’s a beautiful estate,” Alison agreed.
They had decided to take a picnic in the gardens, and they had laid a large checked blanket over the grass. To the side of them was a now-empty wicker basket, its contents strewn across the blanket in a delightful array. They had brought cold meats and cheese, a little bread and some fresh salad. They even had some cheesecake and stewed fruit, and of course a bottle of wine for them to share.
Baby Benjamin wriggled in his little wicker cradle, brought out by the nursemaid so that Teresa could watch over him and so that he could enjoy a little sunshine. Alison looked into the cradle often, smiling at her beautiful nephew. He gurgled happily when she touched him. Alison herself wore a dusky-pink empire-line gown with perfectly puffed sleeves. Her straw hat had a wide brim at the front and it was tied beneath her chin with a pink ribbon.
“I wonder,” Teresa said, looking into the distance, “if I shall ever get used to it. Of course, I have vague memories of it as a child, but most of my life I have lived without gardens quite as magnificent as these. Even those in Lentingdale Manor fail to live up to these.”
“It must be very strange, indeed,” Alison said, picking up a slice of pink beef and putting it into her mouth. It was so tender it almost melted on her tongue.
The gardens were as magnificent as Teresa claimed. They stretched for acres and were maintained by a team of gardeners who were second to none in the whole of London. The grass was carefully clipped and pruned, the fountains and ponds always crisp and clear—all the better to see the fish that swam around the bottom. There was a topiary garden, too, and a hedge maze that left the ladies laughing whenever they found themselves lost inside it.
“I am so glad you are staying a while,” Alison said. “I still feel as though we have so much to catch up on.”
“Me too,” Teresa said, taking a sip of her wine. “And a fortnight here is just perfect.”
She and Benjamin were to stay while David popped in and out according to his busy schedule. Alison loved having them close at hand. She and Teresa spent every day together, and often talked late into the night of all the things that had happened to them in their drastically different lives.
“How is the school?” Alison asked. “Have you heard from Miss Oakley lately?”
“Oh yes, she is thriving as the new administrator and the school is going from strength to strength with the new funding. I really cannot thank Mother and Father enough for all they have done for us.”
“It’s the least they could do after missing out on so much of your childhood,” Alison said.
“Through no fault of their own, though,” Teresa said, tilting her wine glass as though to prove her point.
“Perhaps not, but I know Father in particular is tremendously grateful to the late Duke of Lentingdale for his support of you, and giving to the school is like giving thanks to him.”
“The Duke was like a father to me for so many years,” Teresa said, her voice far away and dreamy. “I was devastated when he died.”
“I am not surprised,” Alison said, reaching over and gently touching Teresa’s hand. Teresa looked up and chuckled sadly, her honey brown eyes twinkling in the sunlight.
“I didn’t expect to have another father quite so soon.”
“If ever!” Alison said, smiling widely. “You have had two, now.”
“And two of the very best! Goodness, I’m the luckiest lady alive,” Teresa said, and Alison knew she meant it.
They sat in silence a while, each picking at the food in front of them, each lost in their own thoughts. Alison had wanted to tell Teresa about Luke for so long and yet, it never quite seemed the right time.
But perhaps today, I can.
As though reading her mind, Teresa spoke.
“We have talked about almost everything in our lives, Alison dear. The one thing we have studiously avoided is your future marriage.”
Alison’s jaw worked up and down as she tried to think of a reply.
“There must have beensomeonein the past? Some handsome gentleman who whisked you off your feet at some ball or another.”
“There is no gentleman, no,” Alison said, looking down at her hands. She felt her heart begin to pound, as a quiver rush through her body. She knew Teresa would not let this go—she had no doubt been urged by their mother and it was likely a topic she had been curious about for a while.
