Magic and Miracles, page 78
Charlotte clapped her hands together. “Oh, that sounds diverting. What time are you leaving? I shall gather my things and come with you.”
Tabby’s smile fell, but she quickly replaced it with another one. “I thought you would be busy planning a dinner party.”
Charlotte lifted her shoulders, her face a mask of defeat. “Papa says we must wait until after the ball to host a dinner party. Can you believe it? He tells me I cannot host the ball until I have experience but then will not allow me to gain experience until after the ball.”
“But you will have the experience and much more for the ball next year. I’m certain then you will have your chance.”
Charlotte did not look mollified. “Yes, I must wait a whole year longer.”
Tabby patted Charlotte’s arm. “Perhaps the village will be diverting enough to keep your mind off your vexations.”
Tabby glanced at the clock. “Come, it is time to meet your brother.”
“But I have not yet changed my gown,” Charlotte whined.
“Then I suggest you make haste. I do not know Lord Glenwater well, but I do not think him the type to patiently wait.”
Charlotte made a face and hurried toward the door. “Do not let him leave without me,” she called over her shoulder.
Tabby grinned as she picked up her bonnet. It was the only thing, besides the gown she had come to the estate wearing, that was truly her own. She tied it on as she made her way down the stairs to the entryway.
As she suspected, Lord Glenwater stood with his hands behind his back, pacing the length of the floor. He paused and looked up when her boots clicked on the tile floor. Did she imagine the hint of a smile on his lips?
“Good morning, Miss Tabby. I hope you slept well.”
Tabby returned his smile. “Indeed, I did.” She moved closer to him so she did not have to raise her voice so he might hear. “I hope you enjoyed your ride.”
He raised a single brow. “How did you know I went for a ride?”
“I saw from my window when you returned to the stables.”
He nodded but made no reply. “Are you ready to go? Where is Nan? I thought she would accompany you.”
“Nan is upstairs. Charlotte will be accompanying us.”
His cheek twitched ever so much, and Tabby wished she knew what it meant. “Then I suppose that is why we are waiting? Lottie has no sense of time or urgency.”
As if she had been summoned, Charlotte hurried down the stairs. “I have never dressed so quickly!” She cast a raised brow look at her brother. “I did not wish to make Tabby wait.”
“You are very kind, Lottie.” He held a hand out and directed them toward the front doors. “Let’s be on our way.”
7
The village had proven a fruitless endeavor. No one had been looking for her and not a soul knew who she was. The only redeeming part of the journey had been spending time with Lord Glenwater. He had looked almost as upset about their lack of information as Tabby had been. He frowned as he stared out the window. Although, perhaps that was simply because he would not be rid of her any time soon.
She sighed and a tear slipped down her cheek.
“Tabby, what is the matter?” Lord Glenwater’s voice was soft, and it made the tears come harder and faster.
“It is nothing.” She swiped at the tears with the back of her hand. What would she say to him. How could he understand?
“You are disappointed, are you not?”
She turned slightly toward him. Perhaps he did understand, if only a little. She nodded because she did not trust her voice. They remained silent for a moment, neither of them seeming to know what to say. But in truth, what was there to say? She turned back to the window, unable to stand the pity she saw in his eyes.
“I thought for certain someone would be looking for me. It’s been five days since I turned up at your estate. How could I not be missed after five days?” The scenery blurred as a fresh batch of tears filled her eyes. How had she been so wrong as to think she had come from a loving home? Perhaps it was simply a trick her mind played on her to help her move on. Perhaps her family was glad to have her gone. One less mouth to feed or dowry to fulfill.
The carriage shifted as Lord Glenwater moved from his bench to hers. She took note that he did not settle in, as one would do if they intended to stay a while. Instead, he perched on the edge, ready to make a clean get away should her emotions overwhelm him.
She felt him awkwardly pat her back. “I’m certain it is not because no one is looking for you. Perhaps they just don’t know where to look. The trees along this stretch of road go on for miles, and they all look very much the same.” He leaned forward as if he were going to return to his squab. He paused and gave her shoulder a squeeze. “I know it is hard, but if you are patient, I’m certain we will find where you belong.”
Tabby turned and looked at him, sniffling. “Do you really believe that or are you just hoping so you might finally fulfill your bargain?”
He held her gaze. “If it were up to me, we should never find your family and then you could stay at Bollingbrooke forever.” He cleared his throat and shuffled back to his seat. “Charlotte will be brokenhearted if you leave.”
Tabby bit her lip to keep a new set of tears at bay. Only these ones were for a whole different reason. She wiped at her face with her handkerchief and sucked in a deep breath. “Thank you for your kind words, my lord. I’m sorry for becoming a watering pot.”
He smiled tightly at her. “You need not apologize, Miss Tabby.” His voice was low, and his gaze focused somewhere out the window.
Tabby turned toward Charlotte, whose head was lying against the window as soft snores sounded. Tabby raised a brow. “Did she not fall asleep on our way there?”
Lord Glenwater nodded and rolled his eyes. “Indeed, she did. She is quite incapable of not.”
“But it is barely ten miles. The entire trip is not more than half an hour.” How did someone fall asleep so quickly?
“She has done it her whole life. As soon as she sits down in the carriage, she drifts off to sleep. It is why we walk to church each week, so she will not be groggy for the first half of the service.”
Tabby laughed. “I do hope she is never a companion. I believe she will be as useless as Mrs. Dimple.”
Lord Glenwater frowned. “Mrs. Dimple is useless?”
Tabby shrugged. “As a companion, yes. She falls asleep more than she watches over Charlotte.” She put her hand out but stopped just shy of touching him. “Do not misinterpret my meaning. She is a lovely woman and cares a great deal for Charlotte. I just do not believe she is saving Charlotte’s reputation. Charlotte protects herself. Which is a commendable trait in a young lady.”
“Should I speak to my father about replacing her?”
Tabby shook her head. “Not yet. I believe Charlotte would be most disappointed. However, if you should take her to London, you may need to hire someone more vigilant.”
Lord Glenwater nodded, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
Tabby grimaced. She hoped she had not just started a chain of events that would result in Mrs. Dimple’s dismissal.
“My lord,” Tabby started. She had been wondering something for days but had never felt right about asking him. “How did you decide upon my name? It is most unusual.”
“Miss Tabby?” He grinned but also looked a bit sheepish. “It was mostly due to your hair when I first saw you.”
Her face crinkled. “Tabby? Surely you do not think my hair is tabby-colored. It is not even close. My hair is deep red, not orange. And I have not a single gray in the lot.”
Archibald grinned. “Perhaps not once the mud was washed away. But before, it definitely was the same color.”
She let out a gasp.
He sighed. “I had thought of La Grenouille first, so I should think Tabby not so bad.”
Her eyes widened. “A frog, my lord? You thought to call me Frog?” Her lips twitched ever so much. But she was not about to let him off the hook. He had thought of that name before they were friends. They were friends now, were they not? “I risk my life fetching your ball and that’s the gratitude I receive?”
Lord Glenwater leaned forward, a spark in his eyes and a grin on his lips. “You speak French?”
She lifted her chin and raised a brow. “That seems obvious.”
“You have to admit, it did fit. You were swimming about my pond.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Yes, I was earning my keep, if you’ll recall.” She looked back out the window. “I suppose when I hear the alternative, Tabby is preferable.”
“I’m sorry you still object to it. I did not have a chance to consult with you about it.” His face looked genuinely contrite.
Her face softened. “I am not opposed to Tabby, just your reasons for using it.”
“If I had to name you now, I would choose Scarlet. Does that make you feel any better?”
She let out a chuckle. “Surprisingly, no, it does not. The name does not suit as well as Tabby, does it?”
He shook his head. “That is precisely what I thought. You are just Tabby. That is all there is to it.”
The carriage dropped hard into a rut and Tabby’s heart plunged into her throat. “What was that?” She put her hands to her side and braced herself, her eyes wide.
“It was just a rut in the road. After the rainstorm a few days back, the roads are a bit rough.” Lord Glenwater looked at her with concern. “Are you alright?”
She swallowed hard but nodded. She was uncertain about her reaction. Why was she so frightened of a bumpy road? It made no sense. “Yes, I am fine. I was simply startled. That’s all.”
The carriage stopped in front of the house and, as if by magic, Charlotte awoke. “Are we home?” She stretched and looked sleepily out the window.
“Yes, we have returned from our lengthy journey,” Lord Glenwater lifted his brows and shook his head. “I hope you enjoyed your rest.”
Charlotte smiled. “Indeed, I did. It was just what I needed.” She gave his shoulder a bump. “Besides, you know I cannot help it.”
Lord Glenwater handed Charlotte down, then handed Tabby down as well, but he held on to her hand after her feet rested on the ground. She looked up into his eyes and her breath caught in her throat. “Are you certain you’re alright? You looked genuinely distraught back there.”
Tabby nodded. “Yes, my lord. It just surprised me.”
He held her gaze a moment longer. “And you do not like surprises?” He arched a brow.
She smiled. “I suppose it depends on the surprise. Does one ever dislike a pleasant one?”
He pursed his lips for a moment. “Perhaps we will have to test your theory, Miss Tabby.”
She noticed he still had hold of her hand. That was a surprise she would accept gladly any day it was presented. “I look forward to it, my lord.”
With one firm nod, he dropped her hand and strode off in the direction of the stables. She rubbed at her fingers, relishing in the warmth still lingering there.
Where was he going? Had he not had enough adventures for one day?
Charlotte looped her arm through Tabby’s and pulled her toward the door. “Come along. Let’s make our plans for the match tomorrow.”
“What sort of plans have we to make? I thought we were watching the match and then readying for the ball.”
Tabby smiled over at her friend. While many aspects of her life were uncertain, she was grateful to have Charlotte. Having at least one friend was better than being completely alone in the world.
“Oh, Tabby. It is painfully obvious you have never been to this match or this ball. There is much to do.”
Tabby hugged Charlotte’s arm. She did not care what they planned to do, as long as they could do it together. There was no one else she wished to spend the day with tomorrow. Except perhaps Lord Glenwater.
8
The grounds of Bollingbrooke were a flurry of activity. Servants set up tables of refreshments and laid out the lines marking the cricket field. Villagers had already begun to descend on the estate, anxiously awaiting the match they all looked forward to for a year.
Archibald pulled at his waistcoat and twisted his head back and forth.
“Is your cravat too tight, my lord?” Hamilton asked in a tone that said he knew it wasn’t.
“No. I think I’m just nervous.”
“Why, sir? It is not as if anyone expects our team to win. They never have.”
Archibald grunted. “And are you not heartily tired of that? I should like to win. At least once.”
Hamilton shrugged. “I don’t believe anyone cares. It’s not so much the game as it is the event itself. It’s a chance for everyone to relax and have a good time.”
“I don’t have a good time. What is good about losing?”
Hamilton slowed down his brush. “Perhaps if you did not take the game so seriously, you could find enjoyment in it.” He continued brushing. “Indeed, perhaps it would improve your game.”
Archibald scoffed. “I cannot imagine how that could happen.” He sucked in a breath. “That is fine, Hamilton. Thank you.” He slipped on his tailcoat. “Are you coming to watch?”
Hamilton grinned. “Indeed. I’m meeting Sara Henry at the match. We are to spend the day together.”
“Ah, meeting a young lady, are you?” Archibald’s fingers went numb at the thought that Miss Tabby would be at the match watching him play. Would she think less of him if they lost? If he didn’t play his best?
He tipped his head to the side. He did not think she would. While there was much he did not know about her—such as her name—he thought he did know her well enough to know that she did not care if he was proficient at cricket. She likely would agree with Hamilton.
Tabby and Charlotte walked among the crowd gathered on the lawn. While the cricket match was the main attraction, there were lawn bowls, pall-mall, and shuttlecock set up in various locations. Even a few of the local tradesmen had set up booths on the far side, not ready to give up a day of sales when there were so many people around.
It was nothing like anything Tabby had ever seen. At least not that she remembered. Did her village do anything like this? If they didn’t, she thought they should start. Indeed, once she discovered who she was and where she lived, perhaps that would be her task.
Tabby turned around and released an excited breath.
“What is it, Tabby?” Charlotte asked.
She pointed to the large balloon with a wicker basket dangling beneath it. “There is even a balloon.”
Charlotte nodded. “Oh, yes. It is a part of the fair every year.”
“Have you ever been up in it?” Tabby asked with excitement in her eyes.
Charlotte’s eyes widened. “No. And I have no intention of ever going up. If the good Lord had wanted men to fly, he would have given us wings.” She folded her arms across her chest and pushed out her lips in challenge. When she received no response she shrugged. “Archie has been up in it several times.”
Tabby smiled at the thought. She could see him waving to Charlotte from way up in the air.
“Do you wish to go up?” Charlotte asked.
Tabby’s stomach flip-flopped. “I have not decided that.”
“Then come. Let’s go see the other things. The match will start in little more than half an hour.” She motioned over to a table in the distance. “It’s warmer than I expected it to be this late in the year. Let’s go fetch some lemonade and watch the gentlemen prepare for the match.”
Tabby followed her over to the table and picked up a glass. But she was less interested in the beverage than watching the people around her. Unlike house parties, this fair boasted people from all stations. The rich and the poor all seemed to meld together, everyone talking and laughing. It was as if for this one small moment of time, there was no social difference between them. Or at least it was smaller than on normal days.
Charlotte and Tabby stared out over the field, watching as men practiced swinging the bat or stretching out their muscles. Tabby paused when she came to one gentleman. “Charlotte, who is that man in the dark blue coat? The one swinging his bat?”
Charlotte’s gaze scanned the field until she stopped on the man Tabby indicated. She frowned. “I don’t think I know him. Perhaps he is new to the team. Why do you ask?”
Just then the man locked eyes with her and lifted a hand in greeting.
“Do you know him, Tabby? It looks as though he plays for the Kent County team.” Charlotte moved in closer to Tabby’s side. “I cannot tell if he knows you or simply wishes to know you.”
Tabby shook her head. “I do not. He looks a little familiar, but I have no notion of his name. Do you not think that if I knew him, I would remember his name once I saw him?”
Charlotte shrugged. “You see yourself in the mirror every day and still do not remember your name.”
“I suppose you have a point.” Tabby scrunched up her face and closed her eyes, trying to put a memory with the man’s face. But it was for naught. There was nothing there.
“What are you doing? You look positively fierce.” Lord Glenwater’s voice brought her eyes open. She smiled up at him. “I was trying to remember something, but I cannot seem to manage it.”
“Archie, do you know that man over there in the dark blue jacket? The one with the curly, blonde hair?”
He glanced back over his shoulder and nodded. “Oh, yes. That is Lord Ashcroft. He plays for the Kent team.” He turned back to them. “Why Lottie? Do you wish for me to introduce you?”
Charlotte guffawed. “No. Tabby thought he might look familiar to her.” She leaned closer to Tabby. “Does his name bring back any memories?”
Tabby frowned. “No. I still do not remember him.”
“Good,” Tabby thought she heard Lord Glenwater mumble as he glanced back to the field.
Charlotte grinned. “Tabby, it looks as though the match is about to start. Let’s find a seat and watch.”
