Page 7 of Miss Harvey's Horribly Lovable Fiancé
“No, Althea, Diana and Sandrine came earlier. They’re in their rooms.”
Althea, Lady Scarsden, had arrived with her husband. Diana, Countess of Saunderson, like Althea had married at eighteen, but her husband had died two years ago leaving her with two small children. Sandrine De Compiègne had no financial problems. Her wealth came from her parents’ iron and silk investments across the Continent. She’d arrived earlier and gone to her rooms. Sandrine always came to this May Day Frolic, hosted by Esme’s parents. A welcome guest, she was the daughter of French emigres who’d escaped Madame Guillotine during the Terror. Eager to share her intimate views of decadent French royalty, both Bourbon and Bonaparte, she was also a republican. An odd mix, that, but she was entertaining company.
“The footmen,” said her Mama to them both, “will take up your luggage.”
“Our maids will go with them,” Ivy said with a look at their two servants. “To the same suites as we had last year?”
“The very same,” said Esme’s mother. “You did like them so.”
“We did,” affirmed Grace as she removed her gloves and turned with the others at the sounds of horses clomping in the drive. “Oh, who’s next? I don’t recognize the coach.”
But Esme’s mother did and she was positively lit from within to lean forward and say, “We have new guests this year.”
Esme had to smile at her mother’s enthusiasm for her idea to extend the guest list to include gentlemen home from the wars. Mama so wanted to be the one to say she had aided many young ladies’ quests for husbands. She also wanted everyone to witness what a match her only child had made to a man who one day would be a duke.
Her father stepped forward. “I recognize the escutcheon. The Earl of Charlton, my dears.”
Her mother clapped her hands. “Marvelous.”
Those who emerged from the coach were a surprising party of four. First to emerge was Esme’s friend Lady Mary Trentham-Little-Finch, aflutter to introduce the gentleman right behind her, Lord Lawton-Bridges.
“We suffered an accident.” Mary gave details of their over-tipped public Flyer.
More alarming was the sight of Fifi grimacing in pain as the other gentleman, Lord Charlton, emerged from the coach holding Fifi carefully in his embrace.
Mary hastened to add, “Lord Bridges and Lord Charlton rescued us and brought us here. Sadly, Fiona injured her ankle when the coach tipped to one side.”
Fiona tried to be valiant.
Esme’s mother flew to her. “Oh, my dear. We will tend to you!”
Her father motioned for the footmen to aid Charlton and his servants.
All the while, Mary did the honors to give an account of how they'd met the men and how they had saved them on the road. Meanwhile, Esme stared at Charlton who was a near duplicate of Northington in looks and restrained demeanor.
Her papa was effusive in his praise for their rescue. "Shall I send my grooms to right the flyer?"
"Yes, sir," said Charlton. "They may also need a wheelwright and a blacksmith to help repair the wreck.”
Esme rushed to Fifi and took her hand. She bent near, disturbed that her cousin wouldn’t be able to enjoy herself these next few days. “I’m so sorry to see you injured. It is delightful to have you with us.”
Fifi gave her a small smile. “Thank you, Esme. You mustn’t worry.”
She had to get her request in before she lost her nerve and Charlton carried her up to her rooms. “When you’re feeling better, I’d like us to talk privately. Would you mind?”
“Whenever you wish, Esme. I’m not going anywhere quickly.” Fifi smiled bravely and pointed to her foot.
“Today is impossible. Might we meet in the morning? After breakfast?”
Fifi nodded. “Before everyone goes to the village?”
“Perfect.”
Charlton made for the stairs, holding Fifi as if she were his prize. As they went, the two of them joked and teased each other. Their ease, their repartee, struck Esme as much like that between Northington and herself. She wondered if they faced the same conflict she and her fiancé did. Title or money? Love or necessity?
Oh. Why would they? They had just met. No discord marred their relationship…yet.
She shook her head and returned to the duties of welcoming more guests. When Northington arrived, she’d pull him aside and have a long talk with him about her questions.
