There were stones aplenty washed up along the watercourse and I searched for some time for my prize, in vain. ‘Surely there is one stone the like of which I seek,’ I grumbled, close to giving up and returning to the house. I didn’t wish to offend my hosts by being late for the morning meal. What’s more, I was hungry and the chilly wind had seeped through my layers of clothes and into my bones.
Just as I’d decided to relinquish the hunt, the turbulent clouds above parted, allowing the sun’s rays to fall upon the water and illuminate the rocky bed of the stream. As I admired the fish in the crystal clear water, I spied a round stone that was very dark in the centre. I strained my eyes to make out whether the dark patch was indeed a hole, or just a darker colour in the rock that gave the illusion of a hole.
‘There’s only one way I shall know,’ I decided, as I dispensed with my gloves to unlace and remove my
muddy boots. The water only looked a foot or so deep, so I hoisted up my chemise and frock and gathered them into the firm hold of my left hand to spare them from a drenching.
No sooner had my toes hit the water than they recoiled just as quickly—it was absolutely freezing. ‘All in the name of research!’ I steadied myself against the shock, and as my feet entered the water it felt as though nature was using them as pincushions. I made for the stone as quickly as my freezing appendages would allow, and upon holding it in my hand I was thrilled to discover I had struck it lucky. ‘Oh, thank you, Great Mother!’ I said in joy, my eyes raised to the clouds, that had again closed over to conceal the sun. A gust of wind suddenly swept my loosely-tied bonnet from my head and off across the fields. The impulse to grab for my bonnet caused me to lose hold of my skirts, which became soaked to the knees. ‘Oh no,’ I whined, wading my way back to the edge, whereupon it came to my attention that there was a gentleman on horseback atop a nearby rise, watching my predicament with some amusement.
‘Might I be of some assistance?’ he asked in a jovial tone.
I was too embarrassed to reply, and as I had not been introduced to the gentleman, it was hardly proper that I respond. I forgot my wayward bonnet and grabbing up my boots and gloves, I raced as fast as I was able back to the house.
I employed the servants’ entrance and stairs at the back of the house to avoid being seen by the family in my wretched state.
‘Mistress!’ Nanny exclaimed in shock as I entered my room with dripping skirts, although I had attempted to wring them out before entering the house.
‘Look what I found.’ I showed my treasure, which did not impress her greatly. She was far more worried about my muddy attire.
‘Quickly.’ She motioned me closer. ‘Out of those wet things before you catch your death.’ She began to unbutton my frock. ‘Miss Cavandish has been looking for you, as has—’
‘I saw footprints.’ Susan entered and was immediately perturbed by my appearance. ‘Oh, Ashlee, what have you been doing? Oh, never mind.’ She waved away a response and broke into a huge smile. ‘The Earl of Oxford and his party have arrived early and shall be on our doorstep at any moment!’
‘For joy,’ I replied, clearly not as thrilled as she. Now that I had an amulet, I planned to spend the afternoon trying my summons, but I would be expected to stay with the family and entertain their guests.
‘I really do not understand you at times.’ Susan placed both hands on her hips, while I shimmied into clean, dry clothing. ‘Why are you not excited? I realise that only the eldest brother is titled, but the younger, Mr Devere, still receives the mighty sum of ten thousand pounds a year, which is hardly anything to be scoffed at.’
‘Yes, yes.’ I drolly accepted her point. ‘I’ll be down as soon as I am presentable.’
‘And you will be charming,’ Susan stated, making me promise before exiting.
‘Of course,’ I assured her.
‘And you will give me your otherworldly summation of the whole family? I must be sure that Miss Devere will be a good wife to my dear brother.’
‘You may count on a full report.’ Susan clapped her hands, blew me a kiss and urged me to hurry as she departed.
I had missed the grand entrance of the Earl of Oxford and his company. By the time I made it downstairs the steward informed me that the family and their guests were in the drawing room, and that breakfast would be served in the dining room presently.
‘Ah, there you are, Miss Granville.’ Simon came forward as soon as I arrived to lead me into the drawing room and introduce me to his guests. ‘May I present Lord Devere…’ He began with the earl, who was tall, dark, slender and handsome, and from all appearances an appealing fellow. His smile was dazzling, as were his eyes of deep blue.
‘Miss Granville.’ He bowed his head in greeting. ‘It is a great pleasure to finally meet the ladies we have constantly heard our dear friend speak of with such high regard.’
‘The pleasure is all mine, Lord Devere.’ I curtseyed politely.
Next, Simon introduced me to his bride-to-be, who was stunningly fair in comparison to her eldest brother, but the lovely blue eyes and slender, tall form were the same.
‘And last, but by no means least, I present to you Mr Devere.’ Simon led me in the gentleman’s direction.
The man in question had been at the window admiring the view when I entered, but upon closer inspection I realised that this was the gentleman I had shamed myself in front of this morning. I caught my gasp of surprise in my throat and curtseyed to him, praying that he did not expose my earlier indiscretion.
‘A delight it is to meet you, Miss Granville.’ His smile disclosed his knowledge to me only.
Like his sister, Mr Devere was very fair and his hair was combed neatly back from his face, where it sat in tight natural curls at the nape of his neck. His eyes were of a paler shade of blue than his relatives’, but they sparkled just as brightly.
‘Mr Devere rode down on horseback,’ Simon informed me, ‘and has just been telling us how beautiful he found the wilds beyond the manor on approach.’
‘Indeed.’ I tried not to blush as panic rose from my heart into my throat. ‘Hartsford Manor is truly blessed by its breathtaking surrounds.’
