A Seven Year Hitch (12 page)

“Wow
, that’s a relief,” Erica said, “For one moment there, Your Grace, I thought you might be thinking of me. But that last statement lets me off the hook.”

“I don’t see how dear?” responded the Duchess.

“Yes, she’s right Mama,” Trevellyn stated and left a succinct pause before adding. “Miss Wilmshurst is somewhat deficient in the kind-hearted department.”

“Why son, she is kindness itself to me.”

“Really? Perhaps then it is just me,” he sighed. “Perhaps if I offered to take her for a stroll around the gardens, she may see it in her heart to show me some of that kindness. What think you, mama?”

“If y
ou use your most charming smile Ross, she would not be able to refuse!”

Trevellyn turned to Erica and smiled at her. She felt herself weaken, but sensing the smugness behind it managed to decline his invitation.
“Alas My Lord, it would hardly be kind of me to desert my other guests and indeed, with you being a Gentleman, I know you would not ask it of me. Another time, perhaps,” Erica’s smile claimed victory but it was short-lived.

Gerald;
who had been sitting within earshot during the latter part of the conservation, turned and said. “Nonsense Erica, you should accept Trevellyn’s offer. I’ll be around should anything be needed. Besides, we’re all family and everyone just gets on with whatever they want today.”

Erica threw her brother a look that would have had lesser fellows quaking, before embarking on a damage limitation exercise. Raising her voice, she gained everyone’s attention and said.
“The Marquis has requested a stroll in the grounds. Is there anyone who cares to join him? I thought we could head down to the themed gardens. I’m sure the children would love to join us as it’s always a favourite with them.”

Many of the younger people thought it a splendid idea and promptly left the room to gather fans, parasols, sketchpads and younger siblings in readiness for their walk.

Erica smiled at Ross as she stood up and followed her cousins; sneakily punching her brother as she passed his chair.

“I believe you have met your
match, my dear,” Was the Duchess’ ambiguous remark to her son.

“Yes
mama, I believe I have.” He did not pretend to misunderstand her. “But she is proving to be something of a challenge.” 

“I have every faith that you can rise to that challenge, Ross. And be assured it would make your father and I very happy to see you settled.”

Trevellyn swung young Thomas onto his shoulders and galloped across the manicured lawns. Several other children had coerced their elders into being makeshift horses and squeals of delight resonated on the summer breeze. What with races, piggy back fights and pretend jousts, it took quite a while for the group to reach the beginning of the themed gardens, by which time many children and a few of their ‘horses’ were complaining of thirst. 

Fortunately, Erica had had the forethought to arrange for refreshments to be brought down to the Chinese shelter and so without further ado, they made their way there. Having ascertained that all the children had received drinks and little cakes, the adults made use of the wooden benches to enjoy their own repast.

Expecting Trevellyn to sit beside her, Erica was somewhat disappointed when he joined Fiona, Charlie and Charlotte at the far end of the summerhouse. She berated herself for her foolishness and determinedly kept her gaze away from them, not wanting him to guess her thoughts. She was relieved when Michael made his way to her side.

“We haven’t had mu
ch time to talk since my return,” he said.

“No, but now you are going to be based around here, I’ll be able to see you so much more. It i
s great having you home Michael; and Gerald of-course, it will be so much livelier here now that you’re back.” Erica held his hand and squeezed it affectionately.

“Father told me that you have very much taken over the running of the estate from Great Uncle James.”

              Michael had not been surprised as she had always taken an interest in the estate management and farming. As a child she had been both the delight and the bane of old Mr. Dewsom the estate manager, for she was forever asking him questions and pestering him to take her round with him. Once she had learned to read, she would study the latest innovations and insist on discussing them with him.

“Yes, he was concerned that he was getting too old and with Gerald away, he decided I would do just as well. I was more than willing to
comply; it has given me a purpose and is very interesting.”

“How are you going to feel about handing the responsibility over to Gerald?” Michael asked
.

“Don’t worry. I have always known that it was only temporary. Gerald will need me for a while to show him the ropes but once he is au fait with everything then I have a mind to buy my own estate
; something local hopefully. Your father has already promised to look around for me.”

“Wh
at about marriage; children of your own?”

“Perhaps in the future
,” Erica answered vaguely, “I’m in no rush.”

“How about you? Is there some young lady about to become Mrs. Michael Stanier?” Erica asked and was surprised to see a slight flush stain his face. “There is isn’t there? Will I like her? Do I know her?”

“You ask too many questions!” Michael admonished with a laugh.

“Oh come on, tell me! Please!
I won’t tell another living soul I promise!” she pestered.

“There’s nothing to tell
,” Richard kissed her cheek, “Yet!  But rest assured, as soon as there is you will be the first to know!”

As he looked up, his glance locked with that of the Marquis and was taken aback by the anger he saw there.

“Now I wonder what we’ve done to upset the Marquis.” Michael murmured.

“Why?” Erica withstood the urge to look at Trevellyn.

“He looks to be quite annoyed about something, and as he’s looking this way, I assume its us!”

“It’s probably me
,” Erica smiled. “We are at war, you see. He is foolishly of the opinion that he can best me but of-course, it is all nonsense.”

Putting his arm around her, Michael agreed. “Yes Gerald and I learnt that lesson well enough. Father always said that the man who could get the better of you would be the man you married!”

Erica’s slight pause went unnoticed. “Then he must know I am destined to be a spinster.”

“Or that it would take a
brave man to win your heart,” he replied.

Many of the children had by this time, disappeared;
leaving the Chinese garden quiet and calm.

“I think this is my favourite part of the themed gardens,” Erica sighed. “It is so restful”

They sat in silence for a moment or so, enjoying the unique ambience of their surroundings. The shelter in which they rested was long, rectangular, and enclosed on three sides. The front however; with its wooden railing, was open onto a pond littered with lily pads and filled with large goldfish. It had little alcoves along the back wall in which could be found small benches; all beautifully carved in a Chinese design and painted red, green and gold. Along the roof hung little bells that gently pealed in the breeze and complemented the wind chimes that were dotted around the garden. Halfway along the pond, an ornate bridge also painted in red, green and gold, spanned the water and was guarded each end by mythical dragons carved from stone.

“Would you like to reacquaint yourself with the other gardens?” Erica asked eventually, aware that she was likely to fall asleep if she remained seated for very much longer.

They both stood and at Erica’s instigation, sauntered along the shelter towards the exit away from her spouse. Hearing movement behind them Erica quickened her pace but was forestalled by Fiona calling her name.

“Erica wait! We are not as familiar with these gardens as you are so can we tag along with you?”

She had no option but to agree and together they ambled along the path and onto the bridge. Fiona, on the pretext of pointing out a fish, pulled on Erica’s arm and detached her from the others.

“You know I told you
Charlotte was in love? Keep your eyes open now and you might see what I’ve seen!”

When Erica spun round to look at her cousin, she received an elbow in her ribs, courtesy of Fiona who hissed, “Don’t stare, you ninny!”

“Ouch, that hurt!”

“Are you alright, Miss Wilmshurst?” Trevellyn, coming up to them at that moment, was concerned to see Erica leaning over and holding her side.

“Yes My Lord, just a minor case of flying elbow!” she reassured him.

“Ah” he said, “that can be painful if caught unawares.”

“Quite so!”

By mutual agreement the three joined the others and it became apparent to Erica that there was a strong attraction between Charlotte and Michael. On her part, there was a delicate blush to her cheeks whilst his expression gentled whenever he looked at her.

Erica and Fiona exchanged a speaking look that was intercepted by Trevellyn, whose initial puzzlement was dispersed when Erica, taking pity on him, whispered, “Love birds!” and nodded significantly to where Charlotte and Michael had their heads bent together; oblivious to everything but each other.

“Alas m
y courting of the fair Charlotte has not been successful.”

“Is your heart broken, My Lord?” Erica
asked mock concern in her voice.

“I am happy to
report that it is still intact,” Trevellyn answered.

“Then your feelings were not engaged and we can look around for another p
otential bride without impunity,” Fiona said decisively.

“What about Sophie? She is rather young but could be ‘moulded into the perfect Marchioness; prepared to obey you in all things
,’ Erica quoted.

“I am not a cradle snatcher
,” Trevellyn vetoed.

“But surely that was not
always the case, was it My Lord,” Erica smiled sweetly up at him. “I heard tell that you were once keen to marry a girl of sixteen and one still in the schoolroom no less!”

“Is this some scurrilous gossip?” Fiona looked from one to the other. “Oh do tell Erica!”

“Yes, do tell Erica. I would love to hear!” Trevellyn grinned wickedly at her.

“Th
ere’s little more to add except or so I was told, she was an heiress and you needed her money!” Erica shrugged.

“Then it cannot be true. You are obscenely rich are you not, Trevellyn?”

“As you say; obscenely!” he confirmed.

“Your s
ources were not reliable, Erica,” Fiona told her.

“Who were your sources, Erica? Anyone we know?” Trevellyn was not about to let this go. It was too good an op
portunity to watch Erica squirm; especially as she had brought it up and must be kicking herself.

“I could not possibly reveal my sources My Lord, but I have always found
them unimpeachable. Perhaps,” she continued, “you were thwarted in your nefarious endeavours and wish the matter forgotten; understandably so.”

“Why do I get the feeling I am missing something important here?” Fiona liked to know everything and was beginning to feel frustrated with the innuendo passing back and forth between her two companions.

“Why would Trevellyn want to marry a schoolroom chit for her money when he has enough of his own? It does not make any sense,” she continued.

“Do you know, I have asked myself the very same question but cannot throw any light on the
matter? It is very frustrating,” Erica sighed.

“Trevellyn I must insist on the truth. Did you once attempt to marry a sixteen year old for her money?” Fiona asked forthrightly.

Erica raised an eyebrow and waited to see how he would dig himself out without uttering a direct lie.

“I did not attempt to marry a young girl for her money
,” he stated concisely.

Fiona seemed satisfied with his answer and Erica took the opportunity of distracting her by the simple act of pointing out a beautiful butterfly that was resting on a nearby leaf.

“Nicely averted, My Lord,” Erica mumbled when a few moments later, Charlie claimed Fiona’s attention.

“I thought so too
,” he laughed. “If only she had asked the right question.  There was after all no ‘attempt’ about it; I did marry a chit of sixteen, didn’t I?”

Upon entering a stone tunnel that led to a miniature Hindu temple, complete with a statue of G
anesha; the Elephant headed God, Trevellyn took the opportunity of catching hold of Erica’s hand and gently pulling her away from the others. The tunnel had several exits leading to different gardens within the themed area and by dint of climbing a few steps, they found themselves exiting from an Egyptian tomb flanked by two sphinxes and topiary pyramids.  

“Your ancestor certainl
y had imagination did he not, to come up with all of this?” Trevellyn swept his arm to encompass their surroundings.

“
Yes. It was my Great Grandfather who I’m told, travelled extensively in his younger days and wanted to recreate some of the wonders here at Monksleigh.  He was quite an artist and created many sketches as he journeyed around the globe. We still have them actually. I’d be more than glad to show you, if you’re interested.”