Page 48 of The Beauty and the Boxer
The rest of the afternoon was spent in good,if not quiet company. Sir Kent hadn’t partaken in the game eitherand so they sat at one of the dozen iron cast tables that had beenlined up along the near side of the Pall Mall pitch, with the mansebehind the spectators. Several yellow striped cloth tents had beenraised to cover the seating area to protect those who didn’t wishto partake from the autumn sun.
It was a lovely, breezy sort of day.Meredith waved at Sarah who smiled brightly and waved back from thecenter of the pitch. She and Simon were taking part in the game andhaving a spirited chat about a particular shot that Sarah had justmade when Sir Kent hailed one of the footmen for refreshments.
Meredith sipped the sweet lemonade as shetook in the surrounding scenery. The north lawn was set against acharming backdrop of rolling forests and as they were slightlynorth of Bristol, the leaves here had begun to change colors. Goldsand oranges spotted the green maples, planted in between the greatpines that surrounded the duke’s property and she wondered howlovely it would be to take a stroll in those woods.
Sir Kent was proving to be a quietcompanion. Meredith was trying to think of a smart comment when thecorner of her eye caught the distant image of a cornflower bluedress exiting the manse, onto the back terrace.
Turning around completely, Meredith saw ayoung woman with silky, raven colored hair, as she walked down thestone steps of the back terrace. Lady Justine Hughton, Duchess ofMountebank had finally made an appearance.
The duke came off the pitch and Meredithnoted the same tension he held in his shoulders when he hadpreviously brought up his wife in conversation. The duke made aninformal introduction to everyone, while the duchess smiledgraciously and took a seat beneath the center of the field wherethe largest tent had been set up.
The duchess was a beauty, even from adistance. She seemed at ease with the company she sat with andwhile Meredith returned her attention back to the game, shecouldn’t help but notice the stiffness that suddenly appeared inthe duke’s stance.
“I was wondering when the duchess would makeher entrance,” Sir Kent said quietly as he leaned towards Meredith.“I had heard she was feeling unwell.”
“As did I.”
“I was greatly relieved when the dukeannounced his wedding,” Sir Kent began. “I had worried that he wasgoing to give up all masculine pursuits for his studies, but thenhe met Lady Justine.” Meredith gave Sir Kent a quizzical gaze.“Forgive me. I should explain. You see, I grew up not far fromhere. Hughton, I mean, Mountebank now I suppose, and I have beenfriends for many years.”
“Oh, really?” she said, surprised. “That’swonderful.”
“Well, we were never supposed to meet insociety,” Sir Kent explained. “My father was a tenant farmer. I wassupposed to take over working the fields when I came of age, butthe war seemed more exciting to a boy of sixteen.”
“Oh, I see,” she said, noting the classdistinction. “The duke does not seem to stand on formal rules whenit comes to society. He is a great friend of my brother-in-law, Mr.Simon Archer.”
“Yes,” he said, watching the field. “Yourbrother-in-law seems content as does the countess de Marchand.”
Sarah wasn’t simply content but blissfullyhappy. Meredith peered across the field. Sarah and Simon were onthe pitch, smiling, and it looked as if they were making quietcomments to one another. Meredith could almost make out a blush onher sister’s cheeks.
“She’s forfeited her title I’m afraid,”Meredith said.
“Has she?”
“Yes.”
“Does she not retain it as a courtesytitle?”
“She could, I suppose, but she’s quite happyto be Mrs. Archer.”
“Your sister’s place in society has dippedsince marrying Mr. Archer,” Sir Kent said quietly. Instantly,Meredith felt defensive and the expression on her face must haveexpressed her feelings, for in the next instance, Sir Kent shookhis head. “You misunderstand. I find it commendable that she wouldleave a titled position to marry someone beneath her socialranking.”
Meredith let out a long breath, having beenprepared to defend her sister.
“Oh,” she said, shaking her head. “Yes,well, Sarah wouldn’t see it that way. Mr. Archer is her equal inall the ways that count.”
“She is a fine woman,” Sir Kent said withadmiration. “It must be a family trait.” While Meredith wasn’tusually susceptible to flattery, she smiled. “I hope I’m not beingtoo forward.”
“No, Sir Kent, you are not,” she saidquietly. “Thank you for such a lovely compliment.”
Sir Kent smiled and was about to saysomething else when Lady Justine Hughton suddenly appeared beforethem. They had been so engrossed with their conversation thatneither had noticed the lady’s approach. Meredith and Sir Kentstood to curtsy and bow respectively, as the duchess waited tospeak.
“Miss Taylor,” the duchess said, addressingMeredith first. “How nice it is to see you again.”
“It was our pleasure to receive yourinvitation, your grace,” Meredith said.
“My husband’s invitation,” she clarified.Though she wasn’t exactly smiling, she wasn’t frowning either. Intruth, the duchess seemed perfectly indifferent. “He’s been mostinsistent on having an event to invite all his dearest friends to,you see.”
Her eyes wandered to Sir Kent and Meredith.While her tone was sweet, her inflection gave Meredith pause.
