Page 22 of Lady in Ruby
He seemed to realized that his tone was unduly harsh, because he added, “Perhaps I can join the group later. I assume someone in the household can direct me to the pond.”
“Any of the family or the servants will tell you how to get there. The path will be well trampled too. There’s a dozen people coming so far.”
“Then you will hardly miss me.”
“Everyone is invited,” she said stiffly. “But of course, it is your choice.”
“Caroline! Come along!” Francis called from the front walk, where the main group had gathered, everyone chattering like a herd of geese.
“Goodbye,” she said.
His only response was a bow.
She went outside, and was soon swept into the middle of the crowd as they made their merry way down the path. A few footmen proceeded them with a load of blankets and folding chairs to be placed at the pond, and a few maids followed them, bearing hampers of food and bottles of various beverages.
Caroline had been looking forward to the skating party, though Snowdon’s absence made the whole woodland a little dimmer. Was she so dazzled by the man, even with all her doubts about him? Catching Estelle’s questioning gaze, Caroline put on a smile and tried to summon all her holiday cheer. After all, she was more or less the hostess here.
“Come along, everyone!” she said, catching sight of the pond at last. “Let’s put the hampers down on the rocks there. Cook’s sent far more than we need, and I know all the food will be delicious. Just the thing after skating.” She had no fear of the food getting cold. The maids always slid slabs of clay that had been heated in the oven into the bottom of all the baskets. They’d keep the food toasty warm for some time.
Those in the group who had skates tied them onto their feet. A few ladies chose to sit delicately on chairs, unwilling to risk a torn hem in the pursuit of frivolity. Estelle tottered on the ice, testing out her skates.
“Our hostess ought to go first,” Francis said with a florid bow.
Caroline skated forward, spinning around after a few paces. “Welcome to the ice, one and all!” she cried, to general shouts and laughter.
Francis followed and swept her around half the pond. He kept an arm firmly about her waist, “to steady you,” he assured her, though Caroline had been skating her whole life and felt quite confident on her blades.
She caught him looking at her sidelong. “What is it?” she asked.
“Just saw a flash of red by your neck,” he said.
“Oh!” She looked down and saw that the ruby necklace was now partially visible after she’d flipped some of the cloak over her shoulders. “Just my jewelry.”
“Queen Caro, indeed. Rubies for ice skating!” he chuckled and looked to the shoreline.
As they passed the main group again, Caroline saw Timothy bow to Estelle. “Miss Clement, may I take you for a turn about the pond?”
Estelle smiled in delight, and said, “Why, that would be wonderful.”
The pair of them pushed off on their skates, going very slowly around the edge of ice nearest the shore. Timothy held lightly on to Estelle’s elbow as they went, and his face was turned toward hers, while she focused on the challenge of skating without tripping.
Caroline smiled to herself—there was hope for Estelle yet.
Francis noticed her gaze, and asked, “What’s going on over there? Miss Clement needs a minder to go out on the ice?”
“I think Mr Stockan is happy to take on the role, whether it’s needed or not,” she replied.
Francis chuckled. “So that’s how it is! Well, let’s give the novices their space. Come on! We’ve got a whole pond to conquer.”
“Keep from the far edge. There’s a warm spring there and it sometimes takes longer to fully freeze,” she warned.
“I know the pond,” he countered. “Didn’t I grow up here too?”
The party dispersed over the area of the pond, some couples splitting off, and a few brave individuals attempting tricks like skating backward or with closed eyes. As time went on, Caroline began to relax and enjoy herself. She coaxed some of her neighbors into at least stepping onto the ice, and cheered when Estelle lay down in the snow at the side of the pond to make a snow angel.
Francis swept her along, pushing their pace. A few curls had slipped loose from under her bonnet, and now they hit her cheeks as the wind whipped across her face. She laughed out loud, enjoying the sheer joy of gliding over the ice. It was probably as close as she’d ever get to flying!
Francis moved to one side, away from her. He looked intent, and said, “Race you to the far edge.”
