Page 10 of The Vixen in Red
“Be careful,” they all said in unison.
“I will,” she yelled back at them as she left the room. It wasn’t so bad in Peacehaven. She’d been grumpy about her banishment for no reason. She’d add a postscript on her letter to Pear and ask her to join her for the May Day celebration. Charlotte had a feeling her friend might enjoy the novelty.
* * *
Collin staredat the progress the workers were making on his estate. The roof had been completely repaired. No more leaks to rot the inside. The kitchen and servant quarters had been completely redone. They had started on the front of the house a couple of days ago. With the foyer, salon, and library close to completion. He asked them to work on the ballroom next. It might seem foolish, but it had been one of his favorite rooms in the house. His mother and father often danced alone in the room. He’d sneaked from the nursery to watch them, transfixed by how much they enjoyed being with each other.
Collin hoped to find love like that someday. He wanted that kind of intimate relationship with his future wife. First he had to get his home in order. He had an idea who he’d like to make his countess. Once he believed he could court her properly, he would. He’d promised the villagers they could have their May Day celebration on his property as they used to. It was the other reason he wanted the ballroom finalized. They did not need to use the upper rooms for anything, but the kitchens would be ready for food preparation and the ballroom could be used for any other festivities they may need to hold. He couldn’t recall everything they did each year. It had been a while since he’d attended a proper May Day celebration.
“Milord,” a man said as he came to stand beside him. Mr. Robbins lifted his hand and wiped a bead of sweat off his forehead. “We have an issue that needs addressing. It’s one of the ovens.”
“The ovens?” he frowned. They were some of the few items in the kitchen they had deemed salvageable. Each one had been scrubbed and repaired where necessary.
“Yes, milord,” he frowned. “The new cook tried to use one, and well…”
“Tell me,” Collin said and then let out a long, suffering, sigh. “It’s best to get it over with.”
“There was a wee explosion.” He held up his hand when Collin opened his mouth to interrupt him. “No one was injured, but I’m afraid that oven is irreparable. You’ll need to order one immediately if you wish to have it in time for May Day.”
Collin cursed under his breath. Something was bound to go wrong. Everything else had been going smoothly since the workers started. The contractor had hired many of the villagers to assist with the repairs, and it had helped to make it all go faster. If it continued to go as planned, the house would be done by the end of summer. That was still months of work, but at least he was starting to see his childhood home return to its former glory.
“All right,” he said. “I’ll walk into town and post a letter immediately.” He’d have the Earl of Shelby handle the order. His sister’s husband wouldn’t take no for an answer. He could be a bit domineering at times, and it was that type of attitude Collin needed. “I’ll need to stop at the cottage first. Continue with the repairs you’re working on today. If there is anything else, send someone to find me in town.”
“Yes, milord,” Mr. Robbins said. “Before you go…”
He was almost afraid to ask. “What is it?”
“About the ballroom,” he began. “The wallpaper you wanted isn’t going to work. We will need to choose a different type. The supplier doesn’t have enough made to paper the entire room.”
Collin closed his eyes and reminded himself to breathe. “All right. Is our second choice available.”
“Afraid not,” he said, regret evident in his voice. “The Duchess of Whitewood ordered it all for the house her husband is having built for her in London.”
He pressed his lips together tightly. That name seemed familiar to him. He wasn’t that acquainted with the Duke and Duchess of Whitewood. He’d met them once. Collin recalled suddenly why the names were important, or rather whom they were significant to. “I have an idea. We will discuss the wallpaper when I return.”
“Very well,” Mr. Robbins said and nodded his head. “Good luck, milord.”
Collin nodded then spun on his heels to return to the cottage. Once there, he sat at his writing desk and penned a quick missive to Gregory, the Earl of Shelby, asking for his assistance. He added an invitation for Kaitlin and him to visit for the May Day celebration. It would help to have Gregory’s opinion on the state of the repairs. Collin would ask Uncle Charles, but feared he was too ill to travel. After he finished the letter, he pressed wax over it with his signet ring, then placed it in his interior pocket and left the cottage to post it. The sooner it was sent through the Royal Mail the better.
He walked into town instead of riding. Collin enjoyed the exercise. It gave him time to think and consider all of his options for the rebuild of his estate. The solitariness of it was almost comforting. It didn’t take him long, or it seemed as if it didn’t, to arrive in town. When he entered the building to post his letter, he nearly bumped into Lady Charlotte. It was quite serendipitous. He had been hoping to cross paths with her, and fate led them toward each other.
“Lord Frossly,” she said, a little out of breath. “I’m so glad to see you.”
“You are?” He lifted a brow. Collin’s curiosity was piqued. “Why?”
“I wished to discuss an aspect of May Day with you. Do you have time?”
He tilted his head to the side. She was so beautiful and vibrant. Whenever she was near, his heart beat heavily in his chest and he wanted to move closer to her. Something about her made him feel…more. He didn’t want to name exactly what that feeling was yet. “If you’ll give me a moment to post my letter, I’m all yours.” That hadn’t sounded quite right… “I mean I’ll have time to spare you.” There was something he wished to discuss with her as well.
“Oh, yes,” she said. “I’ll wait here for you to finish.”
He nodded and went inside. It didn’t take long to finish his business, and then he returned to her side. “Now, what is it you desired of me?” Her cheeks pinkened a little. Collin was blundering with his words, but he wouldn’t make any more excuses. He liked the blush on her; it made her even lovelier.
“I am not certain you are aware…” She glanced away. Since when was she shy? “That is…” Charlotte swallowed. “May first is Aunt Seraphina’s birthday. She says she doesn’t wish to celebrate, but it is a milestone birthday. I’d like to do something for her.”
“What is it you would like to do?” He was not certain what his role would be in this endeavor, but he liked the idea of helping her.
“The main celebrations, the Maypole dance, and banquet will be held on your estate. I realize you are in the midst of repairs but will any part of the house be useable by then?”
