An Agreeable Arrangement (4 page)

“Nonsense? Nonsense to you, older brother, but
you must understand the desires of the fairer sex.”
Edward’s words heated with every passing phrase.
“One must be able to interpret their wishes, dreams
and needs. You must fill their yearning, nurture their
affection.”

Julian remained unmoved by the lecture and lifted
his hand to halt the verbal onslaught. “I’ll leave the romantic pursuit entirely to you” He donned his spectacles and adjusted the circular frames to sit comfortably
over his nose. “I agree that your talents lie in that area.
I am quite sure that you would know better than I when
it comes to love. If you feel you must win her heart
then I wish you luck in doing so”

Edward accepted the challenge. His green eyes
sparkled in anticipation. He stood and in two strides
reached the desk and set his cup and saucer on the
desk. He leaned toward Julian, catching his brother’s
eye. “You’ll see, I’ll have her completely dizzy in love
with me,” Edward stated in complete confidence.

“I would not underestimate her,” the squire cautioned. “She appears very strong-willed. She might
forego her inheritance to marry the man she loves.”

“You shall see, Julian. I shall be that man! I shall
win her love!”

A small harrumph came from the squire. He
watched his younger brother bound out of the library
doors, exhibiting a type of exuberance Julian found
quite annoying.

He wondered how much of Edward’s babbling
about the foolishness of love was true, then grumbled
at his brother’s carelessness when he spotted Edward’s discarded cup and saucer on the corner of his
desk. With a huff, the squire moved the ill-deposited
set to a side table, where it would be out of his way,
and returned to his work.

Dressed in a dark gray mourning gown, Lady Cassandra emerged from the first-story landing and
descended the stairs. From down the hall Edward approached with arms outstretched to greet her.

“Cass, you will allow me the great pleasure of showing you Stewart Hall.” Edward pulled her arm through
his, resting her hand upon his arm, and placed his hand
atop hers.

“I don’t really see how I can refuse” Her awkward
reply indicated that she’d been caught off guard. Perhaps she feared that if she declined, it might sound
less than cordial.

She glanced, quite by accident, to the squire watching the proceedings from just outside the library doors.
Lady Cassandra did not smile.

Julian wondered if Edward’s efforts to win her
affections were in vain. The squire watched Edward
continue to ramble, leading her down the corridor
toward the Gallery at the far end of the house.

“We shan’t tour the entire house. Not only would it
be a considerable undertaking, I’m afraid we haven’t
time for it at the present” Edward’s smile was infectious. The squire had no doubt that her mood would
lighten as all women seemed to do when sharing his
company. “We must leave something for us to look
forward to, mustn’t we?”

Cassie took note of the comments Edward made
about the history of the family and the house. There
were more than just a few times she caught her guide’s
inspecting gaze come her way.

Edward conducted himself with such resplendent
mode and bearing. He treated Cassie with the utmost
respect and he was all that was gentlemanly.

Cassie found him pleasant. He was very charming
and it wasn’t long before she found her spirits beginning to lighten. The sides of her mouth began to turn
upward. Then she smiled.

Not a full, wide smile by any means. Not at first.
Then to her surprise, her smile was followed shortly
by a laugh. Whatever magic Edward had woven, it
had worked by the time they finished his brief tour.

Removing to the rear gardens, Cassie noted the
overcast morning that had accompanied her to this
grand house had given way to a moderately warm afternoon. The sun cleared any trace of mist that had
the slightest thought of remaining throughout the day.

“You see, back in the seventeenth century Stewart
Hall was a good half day’s travel from town,” Edward
explained. “Now a scant two hundred years later we
find London fairly upon our doorstep. However, if one
retreats to the rear of the house..

He led Cassie down a wide path and through a
maze of low box hedges. She admired the flower beds
within the hedges that supplied a stunning variety of
colors. As she passed the pond in the garden, stray
droplets misplaced by the wind threatened to shower
her. She passed the rose bushes and stood on a large
grass area that spread from the estate toward the outer
edge of the countryside. As far as she could see was
open and unplanted land.

“When one retreats into the rear gardens,” Edward
explained, “one could fool one’s self by believing
they were deep in the country”

“That’s amazing.” The landscape reminded Cassie
quite a lot of Hedgeway Park.

“Julian won’t even consider having a townhouse
when we are so close”

A faint sound of barking caught Cassie’s attention.
A female figure in white crossed the vast green stretch
of grass. A long, flowing pink veil streamed from a narrow-brimmed straw hat which matched the pink
bandeau of her dress. She could only be Lorna, the
only sister of the Stewart brothers.

Lorna’s delicate laughter laced the air as she
romped with Romeo. As soon as Romeo noticed his
owner, he ran toward Cassie. Once receiving her greeting, he turned and dashed back down the lawn to his
new playmate.

It took only Edward’s approach to bring a wider
smile to his sister’s lips. “Good afternoon, Lorna”

“And to you, Edward” Lorna looked at Cassie with
a hint of recognition. “Isn’t he adorable?” Lorna
gushed, petting the brown and white terrier.

“Yes,” Edward acknowledged, his tone indifferent.
“Quite the canine.” A polite smile graced his lips.
“Lady Cassandra, may I introduce my sister Miss
Lorna Stewart”

“Now, I remember you! Lady Cassandra!”

“You weren’t more than four or five when my father and I moved away,” Cassie said. “You’ve grown
into a beautiful young lady.”

“I’ve just had my come out three weeks ago,”
Lorna noted with pride. “I remember looking up to
you so when I was little.”

“There is no need now. Both you lovely ladies will
be the envy of London”

She and Lorna turned toward one another. Giggles
erupted although Cassie tried her best to prevent the
silliness from escaping.

Lorna turned to the terrier. “And who might
this be?”

“That is Romeo” Cassie clapped her hands and he
came running to her side.

“He is most delightful!” Lorna bent to pat him.

The butler appeared behind Edward. “I’m sorry to
disturb you, sir.”

“What is it, Maxwell?”

“The squire wishes for me to remind you of your upcoming commitment” The butler’s face never hinted
of an expression.

“Dash it all! That meeting with Farthington!”
Edward slapped his forehead with the palm of his
hand. He turned toward the ladies and gave a rueful
sigh. “It completely escaped me! Maxwell, have my
horse brought ‘round front”-and he threw over his
shoulder-“tell my brother I’ll be on my way presently”

“Very well, sir,” Maxwell acknowledged with the
slightest inclination of his head. In a thrice he was
gone.

“I am most frightfully sorry.” Edward took Cassie’s
hand. “Although I might blame my lapse of memory
on you” He smiled, exuding tremendous charm. “Your
enchanting presence caused the entire matter to leave
my mind completely. Julian becomes quite intolerable
when it comes to business-won’t accept any excuses.
I fear I must take leave of you both”

Edward bent over Cassie’s hand and stroked the smooth skin on the back of her hand with his thumb.
It was too intimate a gesture, too soon.

“I promise to do my utmost to make amends at the
ball tomorrow night for my premature departure toay.

“It will be such fun with you along,” Lorna gushed
with exuberance.

“Where are we going?” This was the first Cassie
had heard of any festivities.

“Lord and Lady Addison’s,” Lorna said with a
great deal of excitement. “Oh, but you must come
with us.”

“I don’t think I have anything appropriate to
wear.”

“You must have something … I’ve got dozens of
new gowns … you might …” Lorna trailed off and
whatever thought might have crossed her mind at
that moment was lost.

Edward glanced at the drab dress that hung loosely
on Cassie with a quizzical eye that said that he was not
quite sure what lay beneath. She could feel his attention linger on her for a longer period than she felt he
needed.

“On second thought, I don’t think any of mine will
do,” Lorna decided after a lengthy, measuring gaze.

Cassie’s wardrobe consisted only of an assortment
of half-mourning dresses and a few dark-colored
gowns.

“Well then, we must take you shopping,” Lorna announced. “You must have several dancing gownsand day dresses, morning gowns, and riding habits …
and so much more. Also you’ll need all sorts of
matching bonnets, slippers, and gloves.” She ran out
of breath. “Of course, they all could not possibly be
ready in time for tomorrow, but I’m sure we could
manage to find you a gown or two. Oh, how I do adore
shopping.”

“Much to our older brother’s dismay.” Edward’s
gaze swung to his sister, looking at her from the corner
of his eye. He chuckled. Turning to Cassie, he raised
her hand for a final farewell before retreating toward
the main house.

Edward traipsed over the gray pea-pebbled path
with light steps as if airborne. Romeo followed at his
heels with an occasional nip at his trouser leg. Edward
frowned and glanced downward.

He shook his leg from the jaws of Cassie’s playful
pet and mumbled an audible, “Mongrel” Halfway
there, Edward spun in midair for a last look. He nodded at the ladies, sporting a captivating smile.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so happy” Lorna
smiled. Edward disappeared into the back of the
house. “I believe it is all due to you!”

“I’m sure I cannot take all the credit.” Cassie
watched Romeo scamper from the house toward her.
He slid to a halt and faced the mansion.

“Missy!” a shrill voice called out. “Miss-ssey!” it
called even louder. The terrier’s ears swiveled forward, standing alert, waiting for someone to approach from
the house.

Lorna did not answer but turned toward Cassie.
“You’ll excuse Mrs. Upton’s manners, won’t you?”
By the tone of Lorna’s voice Cassie surmised the two
ladies shared a somewhat adversarial relationship.
“She’s a bit unconventional for one in her position, but
she has been with me for as long as I can remember.”

Mrs. Upton came through the door and approached
the garden. She glanced downward, her lips moved as
she cursed under her breath. Holding the hem of her
skirt up to avoid touching the ground, she made her
way to Lorna and Cassie.

“Lady Cassandra” Lorna turned to the older
woman. “This is Mrs. Upton, my companion.”

“Not hardly-your governess more like,” Mrs.
Upton corrected without missing a beat.

“Fustian, I’m too old for a governess,” the young
miss snapped back. Romeo leaped up to remind
Lorna of his omission from her proper introductions.
“I’m sorry. This is Romeo, Lady Cassandra’s pet”

Mrs. Upton turned a cold eye toward the dog,
ignoring him, and welcomed Cassie with a polite
curtsy. “Very pleased to meet you, my lady. You are
Mr. Edward’s intended, are you not?”

“I suppose … yes, I am” Cassie found Mrs. Upton’s address shocking to say the least. However, she
could see how the friendly bantering between the
pair of them kept Lorna amused.

“Mr. Edward is such a wonderful young man.” Mrs.
Upton winked. “You are very fortunate. I believe he is
a great favorite of the ladies,” she whispered from the
corner of her mouth.

“I think there have been at least a dozen broken
hearts since your betrothal announcement” Lorna
sighed.

“That’s enough, young lady. We can gossip over our
tea inside.” Mrs. Upton urged her toward the house.
“Mrs. Green will have tea set up in the front parlor.
We’d best not keep her waiting” Mrs. Upton trailed
behind with her skirts in hand and called out to quicken
the pace. “Come along, now, the both of you. If we
dally any longer, it will get cold!”

Once inside the house, Cassie followed Lorna into
the front parlor and sat next to her on the striped
sofa. Romeo trotted in and sat next to the table.
Lorna took a biscuit, broke a piece off, and offered it
to him.

“Where are your manners, child?” The governess
swiped at Lorna’s generous hand.

“Cassie doesn’t mind,” she replied in a brazen tone.

Mrs. Upton poured the tea, wrinkled her nose at
her charge, and said nothing.

Cassie suspected this young Stewart woman
would continue to push the limits of etiquette. One
would hope not so far as to make herself a social outcast. That would not do at all, not with the squire as guardian. No doubt he corrected her every improper
move.