The Lady's Second-Chance Suitor by Scott, Regina (christmas read aloud txt) 📗

Hester nodded. “Then of course I will accompany you.”

Even if she had to face down Rob in the process.

Though he probably wouldn’t be there, she consoled herselfas they set out in the carriage the next morning. He hadn’t frequented the spabefore. Even if he’d grown wiser with age, why would he show up now?

Lark had been the one to accompany her mother eight yearsago, leaving Hester and Rosemary with their uncle. Rosemary had kept busy withher studies, but Hester had worried. A heart was nothing to toy with. That hermother’s might be failing had kept her up several nights in a row. But thedaily doses of the spa water and the change in diet and exercise Doctor Chancehad prescribed had done wonders for her mother then. Surely it would be nodifferent now.

And her mother was right. They had much to discuss withJesslyn about Rosemary’s wedding.

Any concerns she had were hard to maintain as they walkedinto the spa. It was such a welcoming place, with pale blue walls, an elegantbronze wall clock, and columns interspersed between potted palms. White wickerchairs here and there encouraged attendees to sit and chat or gaze out thewindows looking down to the cove. The tinkle of water in the stone fountain inone corner was offset by the music from the white-lacquered harpsichord in theother. Voices murmured in conversation that was punctuated by laughter.

Jesslyn came to greet them the moment she spotted them.“Mother Denby, Hester, what a lovely surprise. How might I be of assistance?”

“We must talk about Rosemary’s wedding, dear,” her mothersaid. “But first, perhaps a glass of your fine water.”

“And Mother mentioned seeing Doctor Bennett,” Hester addedwith a glance around the spa, looking for the lanky physician.

“Oh, that won’t be necessary,” her mother said withmaddening calm. “I feel better just being here.” She nodded to LordFeatherstone, who was making his way toward them through the other guests.

“Aunt Maudie will finish playing shortly,” Jesslyn said evenas the music shut off with a crescendo of sound. “I’m sure she would be glad topour you a glass.”

Her mother set off across the room. Jesslyn’s aunt, MaudlynTully trotted to meet her. Lord Featherstone changed directions to join them aswell.

Hester shook her head watching as the two older women andthe baron exchanged pleasantries. “I begin to believe I’ve been duped.”

Jesslyn frowned. “Why? What’s happened?”

“Mother insisted on coming today. First, she worried aboutthe wedding, then she claimed she wasn’t feeling well and needed to see thephysician. She implied it was her chest again.”

Jesslyn paled. Her late mother had been hostess eight yearsago when Hester’s mother had first had trouble with palpitations, but Jesslynwould remember that time. That’s when she and Lark had first met.

“Doctor Bennett has an opening at half past eleven,” shetold Hester. “Do you think she would consent to be seen?”

“I would feel better if you could convince her,” Hesterassured her.

Jess nodded. “Consider it done. I know Lark will worry tooif we don’t. And Rosemary, of course, even in the midst of the preparations.”

Hester smiled. “I knew it. She’s already asked for yourhelp, hasn’t she.”

“Well, she has a short time to prepare,” Jess said, sharingher smile. “I understand Lord Howland rode for London this morning. While hisstaff is at her disposal, the bulk of the planning will fall on Rosemary.”

“Mother and I are ready to help as well,” Hester said. Sheglanced across the room to where her mother and Lord Featherstone were drinkingthe water Jess’s aunt had handed them. Aunt Maudie, as she had asked Hester andRosemary to call her recently, was a small older woman who tended to dress allin black. She had a way of pronouncing doom and gloom as well. She’d lost hersailor husband early in their marriage and retreated into fancy. Hester sometimesenvied her that ability.

“I could use your help in the meantime,” Jess said, leaningcloser. “What do you think of Lord Peverell?”

Her mouth went dry. She slowly moved her gaze to Jess andprayed nothing in it would betray her. “What do you mean?”

“You know I’m a matchmaker at heart,” Jess said, blue eyesshining with purpose. “A young, wealthy, handsome, titled gentleman in the areais simply too good to forego. What sort of lady do you think he might prefer?”

She fully intended to protest that she had no idea, butwords popped out of her mouth before she thought better of them. “Titian haired,the brighter red the better, even if the color comes from a bottle. Amplecurves well displayed. Someone who appreciates the more vivid colors—flame,chartreuse, goldenrod. Who guffaws at even a minimum of wit.And no one terribly intelligent.”

Jess’s brows went up. “Truly? I don’t know whether we’veever had a gentleman who preferred his ladies so…obvious.”

“Well, then he shall be your challenge,” Hester said, nosecoming up.

Jess tapped her chin with one finger as if keeping time withher thoughts. “Strange. He struck me more as a gentleman who would valuehonesty, character, and kindness.”

“No,” Hester said. “He didn’t strike me that way at all.”

Jess dropped her hand. “Well, a challenge, as you say.That’s why I could use your help.”

“Me?” Hester took a step back. “I’m no matchmaker.”

“No,” Jess allowed, “but you are a good listener. Rosemaryand Lark have always said so. Perhaps you could talk to him, ferret out thetrue Lord Peverell.”

She could not know what she was asking. “I doubt I coulddetermine the true Lord Peverell. Besides, our paths are not likely to crossoften enough for any serious conversation.”

Jess grinned at her. “You might be surprised. He just walkedin.”

Chapter Six

Rob wasn’t sure why his sister had beenso determined to visit the spa that morning, but he couldn’t believe his goodfortune. Hester stood not far inside the door, dressed in a blue redingote thecolor of the Channel before a storm, misty green skirts peeping out below.Beside her was a tall table with a massive book open upon it. He seemed torecall his father mentioning a Welcome Book, which listed all who had come tothe spa. If only he could count on a welcome from Hester.

The magistrate, James Howland, certainly hadn’t beenwelcoming when