Page 51 of The Duke Who Loved a Widow
“Ah, she will have stiff competition. I hear Monsieur Charente, the chef from the castle, is entering a gooseberry pie,” replied Arabella.
They walked down to the field where the fair was being held. Henry and Judd led Snowdrop along the way. Today, family, household, and grounds staff all walked together. The village fair had always been a day of equality and fun.
Emma had already been down to the showground that morning to enter her strawberry pie in the competition.
As they neared the ground, they could hear a band playing folk songs, and some of their group began to sing as they walked along the track.
“As I was going to Strawberry Fair, Singing, singing Butter-cups and Daisies,” they sang in unison. Then they changed the words to “As I was going to Montbury Fair” and sang it all over again.
Everyone greeted each other warmly, and Arabella felt glad to be part of this community in a remote valley in the North Riding.
They went first to the area with the pony and cart rides. Freddy and Elinor were already there waiting. It didn’t take long to set up the decorated carts and make sure the ponies were fed and watered ready for the rides.
Once the boys were settled, Arabella, Elinor, and Emma went to the place where all the pies were displayed.
“Who judges the pies?’ asked Arabella. She was surprised to see Emma blush.
“Surely not the Reverend Colbrooke? He could not help being biased in favour of your pie.”
“No, it was supposed to be Nathaniel, but he had to stand aside when he knew that I was entering my strawberry pie. I think it might have been your mother, Elinor.”
“Well, if it was, she kept that very quiet. I don’t think it will have been as our chef, Monsieur Charente, planned to enter his gooseberry tart,” replied Elinor.
The pies that had won prizes had little plaques next to them. Emma and Monsieur Charente had won joint first prize.
“Who judged the competition; did we find out?” asked Elinor.
“Yes, it was Mrs Cribbage and Doctor Beardsley,” said Emma.
At that moment, Nathaniel appeared, and Emma offered him a taste of her pie. “It’s the best pie I’ve ever eaten,” he enthused. “I knew you would win.” And to Emma’s surprise, he lifted her off her feet and spun her round in celebration.
“I used to do that to my sisters,” he explained in a sudden rush of embarrassment.
Arabella looked over the showground and felt a moment of immense pride at seeing Henry leading Snowdrop around the arena.
“I must go and check on our house guests and then return home,” said Elinor. “It was a lovely idea of Mama’s to have a ball so soon after the summer fair, but it makes the days very busy.”
“We’ll be there tomorrow to help plan and decorate the ballroom,” said Arabella. “Don’t rush off today. There will only be one summer fair this year.”
“Maybe. I’d like to stay longer. I must check on our guests, though. I know Colonel Edmund and Julia are at the Beehive Tavern. I’ve lost track of the others, and I did promise Mama.”
“I saw Lady Dorothea and Miss Anne watching the pony and cart rides, and they were enjoying themselves. It may be the first time I’ve seen Miss Anne smile,” said Arabella.
“That just leaves Sir Benjamin and Lady Hanslope then,” said a relieved Elinor.
“Over there, talking to the Reverend Colbrooke,” Arabella replied, pointing to the right.
“That makes sense. Sir Benjamin was asking if part of St Mary’s pre-dated the Norman conquest, and Mama and I had no idea. It looks as though all our guests are accounted for, except for Simon and his betrothed, and he can look after himself.”
“It’s a nice group. We enjoyed meeting them at the soiree,” commented Arabella.
“Your playing was truly gifted. I closed my eyes and felt relaxed immediately. When I opened my eyes, everyone looked the same. Well, there was one exception, but she is jealous that Robert likes you,” Elinor told her.
“Elinor, you can’t mean The Duchess of Wyndale? She is the most elegant and beautiful woman I’ve ever met. And Robert is kind to everyone,” said Arabella.
Elinor burst into a fit of giggles and seemed unable to stop. Arabella looked at her in concern and put a hand on her back to help as she seemed on the verge of choking.
“He most certainly isn’t kind to everyone,” she spluttered. “And I have eyes in my head and experience of the world. I can see how he looks at you, and when he danced with you at the soiree, there was something almost magical between you.”
