Page 52 of Sleepless in Saunton
He hesitated briefly before replying. The thought of sending Tatiana away two years ago would have been inconceivable to him as her father. More so because she had just suffered the loss of her mother, but even so, he could not imagine sending his daughter away at such a young age. Tatiana suffered from night terrors, and he was sure there would be no one to comfort her in the dormitories of a ladies’ seminary in a different county from their family home.
“You say it was for the best?” he ventured.
“Certainly. I learned all my accomplishments there. Sewing, watercolors, dancing. They had a talented French teacher, so I speak fluently. Not to mention, playing nine-pins and shuttlecock with the other girls was a pleasant way to pass the time.”
Barclay restrained himself from rolling his eyes. He hoped he could convince the widow to bowl in the future by offering her his personal tutelage in the game.
“You have had many opportunities to use your French, then?”
The widow frowned in an effort to recall. Finally, she admitted, “I cannot say that I have. There are few opportunities in such a small village, but it serves well when I attend events here at Saunton Park.”
“Because you have met French people here?”
“Well, no. The earl did not entertain prior to his marriage. But now that he has, I am sure I will have an opportunity to use it more! Or if I were to move to London.” The last was said in a beguiling tone as she laid a gloved hand over his for a fleeting moment of suggestive impropriety.
Barclay had not the heart to inform her that, outside of his work, he never used any of his French. She seemed quite hopeful on the matter.
If Mrs. Gordon were to take a place as his wife, she would instruct Tatiana on all the skills she had learned at the ladies’ seminary. He still had a difficult time understanding why the widow’s father had sent her away so young, but he supposed all that learning would be helpful for his own daughter.
He smiled, lifting another dainty biscuit to his lips while he considered the situation. Was he confident that Mrs. Gordon would be a good wife? Should he seek advice from his mother or his brother, or simply propose to the woman? She had shown her eagerness on many occasions. With the amount of time they had spent together, if they were in London, he would be required to propose by this stage of their acquaintanceship. Fortunately, he could think on the matter a little longer because the rules at a house party were considerably lessde rigueur. He did not wish to marry for love again, and Mrs. Gordon seemed eminently suitable as a choice.
He noticed Tatiana had arrived, peering through the windows of the terrace door at him.
Lifting his watch fob, he recalled that he had promised her a game of chess. He bade farewell to the widow, who appeared disappointed at his departure. Barclay admitted his own vanity when he realized it was pleasing to have such an attractive woman seeking his company. He missed the feminine influence in his life, and his sweaty dream in the early hours suggested he missed other aspects of the marital union.
Brushing those thoughts aside, he strode over to join Tatiana, grasping her small hand in his to make their way to the library. It took a few minutes to reach it, the manor being a very large home to traverse. When they reached the room, he heard Ethan calling out victoriously, “Checkmate!”
Tatiana grimaced. “He practices far too much. I shall never catch up with him. How can a child be beating me so?”
Barclay hid a smile. She was a child herself, but he could recall how much relative ages had mattered to him as a small boy. Even half a year was something to brag about to younger children.
They had entered the doorway when Barclay’s smile was wiped from his face. Ethan’s opponent was Jane.
* * *
Ethan had easily outplayed her.Her head was thudding something terrible, and the effort to concentrate was more than could be borne. It set off fresh thudding, and she had to prevent herself from groaning from the agony of it. She had left Mr. Dunsford’s side earlier when the light had wreaked havoc, and she had been afraid she would reveal her discomposure so she had joined Ethan for a game of chess.
Her cousin was far more tolerable company when she was this set upon. She could be herself and not behave with rigid propriety. Considering she hoped to make a match with the gentleman, it would not do to show any temper in his vicinity.
“You seem poorly, Jane. Are you not sleeping still?” Her cousin was so sweet, his little face twisted with fret.
“My sleep is slowly improving,” she admitted, “but I have a headache at the moment.”
“I thought you played poorly. It seemed too easy to corner your king.”
Jane smiled tremulously. Ethan had only begun playing within the past few months, after Emma had introduced him to the game, yet he sounded like a professional player now. He had really committed to learning the game and was maturing before her very eyes, a little virtuoso in the making.
When she sat back in her seat, she caught sight of Barclay and Tatiana standing hand in hand by the doorway. Her heart sank.
I shall consider that progress.
The last time she encountered the widower in the hall, she practically leapt into his arms with joy before recalling he had rejected her.
It was little consolation. She still felt bereft in his presence. It had appeared to be progressing so well, and she had been certain she had found her Darcy. All that was needed was her patience with the man’s grieving, but then it suddenly all ended.
Now she knew there was no Darcy for her, and she needed to find whatever happiness she could. Fortunately, she no longer needed to reveal her coffee-drinking to Mr. Dunsford because she no longer drank the demon brew that was causing these megrims.
Jane slowly rose to her feet, while Ethan clamored to his feet and raced over to the pair at the door. “UncleBar-clee, I have not seen you since the grotto!” He held up his arms, and his uncle quickly raised him up.
