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

head of the other major house in the area, I suspectI will be obliged to attend,” he mused.

“Very likely,” she said as Mrs. Tully nodded as if he hadbeen very clever.

But her niece still waited, expecting him to come to someconclusion based on their discussion. She would have made as good a teacher asHester.

“I should also provide the bride and groom with a gift toacknowledge their union,” Rob said.

“There’s always that pixie dust,” Mrs. Tully reminded him.“I should be able to negotiate a very good rate. Yourfirst-borne son, perhaps?”

“I’m sure a gift would be appreciated,” Mrs. Denby said witha look to her aunt. “Hester might have suggestions.”

Rob’s smile curved up once more. He could only bless thewoman’s intuition and willingness to interfere. “I’ll be sure to ask her.”

“Excellent,” she said. “And do remind her that she promisedto help me with a matter. She can start by taking you and Miss Peverell on atour of the village, so you can find the perfect gift.”

~~~

They were colluding against her. Hester could find no otherexplanation for this sudden interest in her activities. Her mother, Jesslyn,even Rob’s sister, Elizabeth, were conspiring to throw her and Rob together.They could not know the damage that might cause.

As Lord Featherstone excused himself from their company, Robsauntered over to them, a cat prowling his domain. Her mother was quick togreet him.

“Lord Peverell, how nice that you would accompany yoursister to the spa. A gentleman who puts the needs of family first is always tobe commended. Don’t you agree, Hester?”

“Certainly,” Hester said, willing to give him that.

“I live to serve,” Rob assured her. “And, at the moment, Iam hoping to be of service to our lovely hostess, your daughter-in-law, Ibelieve, Mrs. Denby.”

“Indeed she is,” Hester’s mother said with a proud look towhere Jesslyn was greeting a gentleman and lady who must be Newcomers. Aunt Maudiehad created the taxonomy. New arrivals were Newcomers, longtime patronsRegulars. Hester and her mother fell in the third category—Irregulars, havingcome often enough to be remembered.

“The other Mrs. Denby,” Rob said with a look to Hester, “hasrequested that you reacquaint my sister and me with this fair village.”

Had she indeed. More collusion. Hester clamped her lipsshut, but her mother pressed a hand to her chest. “What an honor! A shame Ihaven’t been feeling well. I’m sure Hester can guide you.”

Hester might not be as clever as her sister, but she wouldnot be outwitted. She slipped an arm about her mother. “But, Mother, I wouldn’twant to leave until I know what Doctor Bennett has to say.”

“Is it something serious?” Elizabeth asked with concern.

“No, no,” her mother hurried to assure her. “But it’s alwayswise to take precautions.”

“Yes, of course,” Elizabeth said. “Rob, we should notinconvenience Mrs. Todd today.”

He inclined his head, and Hester nearly sagged in relief.

“Saturday, then,” he said.

“Saturday?” Hester squeaked.

“I believe you teach on Friday,” he explained with allsolicitation. “And I would not want to interfere with that.”

“Being such a patron of the school,” her mother added.

Oh, but they were pouring it on thick!

“And I would not want to interfere with your duties, mylord,” Hester said. “As viscount, you must have many important things to do.”

“True,” he allowed, chin up as if he bore his burdens well.“But none more important than this. Without knowing more about the village, howcan I find the perfect wedding gift for your sister and the earl?”

Of course, that made her mother gush about his generosityall over again.

Across the room, Aunt Maudie began playing a Mozart sonataon the harpsichord. The spritely music did nothing to soothe Hester’sfrustrations. Why would Rob need to give Rosemary and the earl anything? TheHowlands and the Peverells were not accorded bosom beaus, and Rosemarycertainly didn’t consider him a friend.

But perhaps Lord Howland would feel compelled to invite Roband Elizabeth to the wedding rather than slight the only other landed family inthe area. Her sister might not like the idea, but she wouldn’t be able toprotest aloud without sharing Hester’s secret, and that Rosemary would neverdo.

Just then, Doctor Bennett came out of one of the examiningrooms at the back of the spa. A tall, studious fellow with warm brown hair, hehad married her friend Abigail last month.

“Oh, there’s the physician,” her mother caroled. “Excuseme.” She headed for his side.

“And there’s Mrs. Greer,” Elizabeth said, craning her neckas if to catch the attention of the Spa Corporation Council president’s wife.“I must go speak to her. I’ll be back shortly.”

She hurried off before Hester could protest.

Rob leaned closer, until she caught the scent of the spicycologne he wore. “I believe they are attempting to play matchmaker,” hemurmured.

“I believe they are quite mad,” Hester countered.

He chuckled as he straightened, gaze going toward thewindows as if he were fascinated by the little horseshoe-shaped cove below thevillage. “I take it your mother isn’t aware of our connection.”

“We have no connection now,” Hester scolded, careful to keepher voice low. “And no, I didn’t tell her about that summer. Only Rosemaryknows.”

He turned to offer her a smile that would once have set herheart to fluttering. “Then I suspect I will need to purchase a very large giftindeed.”

“Do you really require my help?” Hester asked.

He wrinkled his nose, making him look years younger. “Alas,I am woefully unprepared for such a duty. And you will know your sister farbetter than I do.”

There was that. And she knew a little something about theEarl of Howland as well. Few in the area realized that his father had left thefamily finances in a precarious position. Rob could afford to be generous.Perhaps she should help, for her sister’s sake.

“Then I suppose we will have to meet on Saturday,” she said.“Would you be willing to come to Upper Grace and fetch me around eleven? Thatwould save my mother having to go out in the carriage.”

He glanced toward the row of examining room doors, allclosed now. “Then that wasn’t a ruse. Is she truly unwell?”

The thought plunged a knife in her heart. Hester managed ashaky breath. “I certainly hope not. She claimed chest palpitations thismorning. That’s why we came. It’s happened before, about