Page 54 of The Duke Who Loved a Widow
A band had been hired from Harrogate and a feast prepared for the assembled company. Arabella smiled, knowing the pies from the competition would be part of the feast. Emma’s strawberry pie and Monsieur Charente’s gooseberry pie took pride of place on the display.
Judd would join them at the Beehive with the coach. Arabella quite liked the idea of walking back by torchlight, but Aunt Grace had vetoed that suggestion. “The very idea,” she’d said, “of us walking along that woodland path when half the village has been in the Tavern drinking ale all evening. I have a coach, and I intend to make use of it.”
As they walked together, Arabella admitted to herself that Aunt Grace had been right. She was feeling quite fatigued after a day filled with energy and fun. I have memories from today of Henry that I shall always treasure, she mused. She had memories of conversations and laughter with the Duke of Montbury, too, but she pushed those away to the corners of her mind.
The Beehive was alight, with torches burning outside. As they greeted familiar faces, Thomas Fanshaw rushed out to give them a warm welcome.
“Come and take some ale or brandy. There’s burgundy wine for the ladies, too. His Grace has been most generous.”
“The duke has paid for the drinks?” asked Sir Joseph. “That’s very generous of him.”
“I am thankful that we have a master who has a vineyard and winery in Burgundy. We’re never short of wine these days.”
“I haven’t tried the duke’s own wine, but I’m keen to taste it,” said Aunt Grace. “Come girls, let’s get a glass of the Burgundy and let the gentleman find us a free table. I believe the whole village might be here this evening. It’s as many as for the harvest festival in September.”
Aunt Grace tapped her husband’s arm and whispered instructions in his ear.
Whether Sir Joseph heard was questionable, as the folk band began to play at that moment, and the energy levels rose even higher.
“The band is through the back and stretching out into the garden,” shouted Emma. “I think we need to go through.”
The large room at the back of the Beehive had its doors flung open, and Thomas had put extra tables and chairs in the garden. With the torches blazing as night crept in, it was a scene to warm the heart.
“Go and spend time with Judd; you deserve an evening off. Enjoy time with your fiancé, Tabitha,” Arabella told her with a smile.
“Are you sure My Lady?” replied Tabitha
“Absolutely. This has the makings of an evening to remember, so you should spend it with your betrothed,” Arabella insisted.
The band were playing the popular favourite, “Summer is icumen in, loudly sing cuckoo,” and, to Arabella’s amazement, the voices naturally fell into a round. Before long, four groupsof vocalists were chasing each other in singing the traditional folk song. Arabella felt a pang of wistful memory for the harvest supper at Farrington Hall, where this favourite song always made an appearance.
They greeted Mr and Mrs Belway and Lady Starling, whom Arabella had met at the church on her first visit there, as they found a place to sit.
Aunt Grace touched her arm. It was a little easier to hear now they were seated under an arbor in the garden. “I didn’t expect the dowager duchess to make an appearance. She’s usually otherwise engaged on the evening of the summer fair. It appears there is quite a party from the castle arriving.”
She pointed to the entrance where the Duke and Lord Orsdale escorted the dowager duchess and Elinor, and the house party from Castle Montbury followed them. Elinor waved to Arabella in greeting.
“It’s nice to see her grace’s children together. I know that there are difficulties between the duke and Lord Simon,” commented Aunt Grace.
“Look at the Duchess of Wyndale,” whispered Emma. “It’s rare to see such finery in the county.”
The duchess almost glowed as she shimmered into the garden. She bent her head towards her betrothed and nodded at people as she passed.
“It’s a spectacular gown,” said Aunt Grace. “I’m not sure it’s quite suitable for a village inn, but she looks very well in it.”
Arabella took in the gown, which seemed to be a celebration of summer. The gossamer-like thread seemed to be embroidered with miniature sun motifs.
“Her dress seems to have the sun at all its different stages during the month. That gold thread is shining so brightly that the duchess almost resembles the sunshine,” added Arabella.
Arabella saw the dowager duchess whisper in Elinor’s ear, and they then changed their direction and made their way across to join the Horton Hall party.
They stood to greet the dowager duchess and bobbed curtseys. Her grace waved them to sit down and settled herself near to Aunt Grace.
The gentlemen stood behind them, and Arabella noticed how the duke and his brother, Lord Orsdale, stood as far apart as possible. Arabella breathed a sigh of relief when The Duchess of Wyndale sat some distance from her.
Suddenly, it felt as though the air around her charged with energy, and Arabella became aware of the Duke of Montbury standing close beside her. He nodded in her direction, and she acknowledged with a gentle bow. The fragrance of his signature sandalwood cologne drifted towards her. She inhaled the scent, remembering her enjoyment of spending time with him at the summer fair earlier that day.
After a brief pause, the fiddler began playing ‘Pastime with Good Company,’ a song dating from Tudor times, and the company joined in, singing the familiar words.
