Page 6 of Lady in Ruby
As she paused in the hallway, it crossed Caroline’s mind that Lord Snowdon hadn’t actually said his full title. She didn’t even know his rank.
“Cheshire,” Snowdon replied, “but the fact is that I spend most of my time in London. Or abroad. Though I’ve yet to see America. Mr Stockan, where would you recommend a traveler to go in the States?”
“I was born in Philadelphia, so I’m partial to it, of course,” Mr Stockan said. “But I think most people would tell you to start in New York City, and from there wherever your heart desires, whether that be seashore, mountains, woods, or prairie.”
“Rough wilderness, you mean,” Francis said with a shudder.
“We’ve got plenty of that,” Stockan replied. “But for those who prefer the cultured life, a number of cities may suit you.”
“None of them are London,” said Francis, rather pugnaciously.
Stockan just chuckled, not taking the bait. “Not a single one is London, sir. You are correct there.”
“But you studied chemistry there in the States?” Snowdon said in a cool tone. “What university?”
“I attended the University of Pennsylvania, sir. But I came here to learn more under Mr Garland’s tutelage. I’m very lucky to have got the position, not being a native of these shores.”
Caroline thought her presence would be good for Estelle, who had remained silent through all this. She reentered the room and sat down next to her friend.
The conversation turned more general after that, and then the arrival of yet more guests provided more diversion. The latest included Caroline’s grandparents on her father’s side, and then the vicar and his wife, who were regular guests at the manor. Soon, the room was full of talk and tea. The poor maids were quite done out as they hurried to and fro with trays of snacks and pots of hot water.
Eventually, her mother stood and announced that dinner would be served on the hour, which was the signal for everyone to retreat to their rooms and change into evening wear. Snowdon and Stockan were shown to their rooms. Francis said he’d idle in the parlor until the bell rang. As he spoke, he gazed out the window at the rapidly fading light. Mittens (now bereft of Snowdon’s lap) took a look at Francis, but did not try to join the man. Instead the cat sniffed and sashayed out the door.
Then the two young ladies left the parlor and walked up the stairs to the upper floor to change for dinner. Estelle whispered, “Caroline, how could you? Asking Mr Stockan how his wife felt. You all but put me on the auction block!”
“His nonexistent wife! I clarified the situation to a young, eligible bachelor who is new to this part of the world. Why shouldn’t he know that you’re available?”
“But I’m not. My dowry is laughable. Clearly, you are set on courtship for everyone, not least yourself. You hung on Lord Snowdon’s every word.”
Caroline protested, “I was being polite.”
“If any of the other gentlemen calling here got half so much of your attention, they would have leapt with joy.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Caroline said. “After the holiday, Snowdon will leave, and neither of us will see him again.”
That idea made her sad, which was odd, considering she’d only met the man a few hours ago.
Chapter 4
Caroline was almost finished dressing for dinner. She wore a burgundy silk gown with tiny cap sleeves, the high waist beaded with freshwater pearls that matched the pearl hair combs she’d tucked into her dark curls. She was just checking her hair in the mirror when Maggie knocked on the door, saying, “Your parents would like to see you before you go down to dinner.”
Curious, Caroline went her parents’ sitting room, which was adjacent their bedroom at the end of the hall. Both of them were standing near the white marble fireplace, in which flames happily snapped and leapt over a freshly laid log.
Her mother looked excited. “Caroline, you wore your red gown. I’m so glad.”
“Why?” she asked, mystified.
“You will be twenty-one in January, but we didn’t want to wait until then. We thought you’d enjoy this gift now, over the holiday when there’s opportunity to wear it.”
“Wear what?”
“Your inheritance.” Her father handed her a flat, hinged box made of a lightweight, silky-grained wood.
Caroline lifted the lid, and gasped. Inside, against snowy white satin, red stones glowed with inner fire. It was a necklace of rubies, of various sizes arranged to resemble several teardrops hanging along the golden chain. Caroline remembered her mother wearing it on very special occasions, and every time she felt that the effect of the ruby necklace was to make her already elegant mother look as grand and glorious as a queen. To imagine that this remarkable jewelry was now hers was almost too much to take in.
“For me? Truly?”
Caroline’s father smiled and gently took the necklace out, fastening it around her neck. “For you, dear child. Though you’ve grown up so much, you’ll always be our little girl.”
