Miss Impractical Pants (16 page)

Geoffrey hurled another severe look at Sidney.

Sidney shrugged him off and took Katie on a walk down Memory Lane. “Avery and I met as young men during our service in the Royal Navy. We quickly, along with Andrew’s granddad, God rest his soul, became like brothers. After our tour in the Navy, we all three moved to London. Oh Lordy! Three Northern boys loose in the big city! What a smashing time we made of it!” Sidney chortled at the reminiscence.

“On one of his weekend rambles through Hyde Park, he met Jane. My, if she wasn’t a bonny lass! She had traveled all the way from America to do her studies at Oxford. Mind you, in those days, we Northern boys didn’t socialize much with scholars or Americans—
wealthy ones at that. Our Avery was completely smitten and set about to impress her. He did everything possible to get into university just to win her over. Practically moved mountains, and dragged me along with him the whole way. Wasn’t anything Avery couldn’t do when he was
determined.
” Sidney shook his head and sighed. “A man born to hold the whole world in his pocket, he was. In all me years, I’ve never met one soul who was immune to his persuasions.” He laughed at some unspoken memory.

“They did, in time, marry, splitting their time between Yorkshire and London. However, dear Jane began to suffer from such homesickness that they ended up spending more and more time in America. She once told me late wife, Helen, she felt as if she were split right in two.
One half of her always in England, where she gained a wonderful new family and so many friends, and the other in America with her own relatives.

“When Jane’s mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer, they bought a home in the States and remained there until she died. Afterward, Avery would fly back to England for short visits, but Jane, not wanting to leave her father alone, never did join him. It was on one of his visits home that Jane fell suddenly ill. Avery rushed back to America to be by her side, but she had passed just moments before he arrived.”

Sidney’s eyes met Geoffrey’s in the rearview mirror. They watched Katie in silence as she absorbed this new information. At first her head was bowed and they could not see her reaction. When she did lift her head, a path of tears trickled down both cheeks.

Sidney rubbed a consoling hand across her shoulder blades and returned to the story.

“Poor Avery’s heart broke then and there. That was not quite thirteen years ago.” He stayed on in the States to take care of Jane’s father, who passed away a few years back.
And hasn’t returned home since.
Never has forgiven himself for leaving his beloved bride.”

“How did she die?” Katie wiped a fresh crop of tears from her eyes.

“That’s even more the tragedy. You see, Avery and Jane had been trying to have children all their married life. After a number of miscarriages, Avery gave up hope, but Jane never did. Even in her later years when most people would have thought it impossible, Jane gave her life still trying.”

Putting the pieces together, Katie confirmed, “You mean she was pregnant?”

Sidney nodded.
“Aye.
Avery never knew. She probably kept it to herself, not wanting to break poor Avery’s heart again if it didn’t happen—or afraid he would try to keep her from going through with the pregnancy.”

Katie’s saddened face took on a look of strain.

Sidney watched her brow furrow, becoming concerned when she squeezed her temples between her fingers. “Good heavens pet! What’s the matter?”

Katie looked at him. “Nothing, I’m trying to do the math—that’s all.”

His lips twitched, but he pushed aside his amusement to solve the puzzle for her. “Jane died at forty-three. Avery was six years her senior.”

The strain overtook her face again. This time he let her work it out on her own. “That means Mr. Scott is only sixty-two? He’s
younger than my parents. I’d always assumed he was way older.” She took in Mr. Scott’s age progression with a fresh wave of sorrow. How much must he have suffered—still suffer—to be so aged beyond his years?

Sidney sighed. “I’m afraid Avery has not taken the grief well. He’s turned into an old man waiting for time to pass.”

After a moment’s silent contemplation, he wiped the remaining moisture from his eyes. “Here we are! Home at last!” he chimed as if they’d been swapping amusing anecdotes all along.

Katie’s jaw dropped as her attention turned toward her whereabouts. She reached over and grabbed Sidney’s bony wrist. “Sidney, how many families live here?”

Sidney chuckled at her naiveté. “Just mine, if you can call it a family. There’s meself; Mrs. Albright, our beloved housekeeper; and Geoffrey.” He motioned to Geoffrey, who was already pulling Katie’s luggage from the trunk. “Lucas often joins us for dinner when he’s in town…and occasionally he brings his lady.”

Katie felt a little stab in her chest. She wondered who Lucas’s “lady” was. And was there a note of contempt in Sidney’s voice?

She returned her attention to the house. “It’s the most spectacular home I’ve ever seen.” She gazed up at the steep A-line rooftops, several of which were adorned with a substantial growth of ivy. The home was a formidable red brick of Elizabethan architecture. Forty yards in front, protectively concealing the stately manor, were perfectly manicured hedges that stood at least twenty-five feet tall and ran the perimeter of the estate.

“It’s a monstrosity, that’s what it is,” Sidney rejoined. “It’s the estate that me late wife’s family left her.
Proud descendants of British
aristocracy.
No doubt they’re turning over in their graves knowing it’s been passed on to their common son-in-law from the North.” He made no attempt to stifle a snigger. “But we’ll discuss them once you’re comfortably settled in. No need putting a damper on a lovely evening.” He offered Katie his arm and escorted her to the door.

Inside, Katie was introduced to Mrs. Albright, a portly, copper-haired woman who quickly revealed her innate drive to zealously care for others.

“We are so happy you’ve come to visit us, dear. I’m afraid we can be a rather dull lot,” Mrs. Albright chirped. “Well now, let’s have a look at you.” She grabbed Katie’s hands warmly and pulled her arms out from her sides. “My, aren’t you a gorgeous one! And aren’t your teeth just lovely!” Squishing Katie’s cheeks together with one hand, Mrs. Albright admired the American teeth. “What I wouldn’t give for a nice, shiny set like you’ve got!”

“There, there, give the lass room to breathe,” interrupted Sidney. “Mrs. Albright, would you mind showing Katie her room and giving her a quick tour of the place bit before Lucas arrives?”

Mrs. Albright clapped her hands. “Of course, I’d love to!” Turning to Katie, she whispered, “I’m looking forward to seeing our Lucas. What a handsome man he’s become.” She gave Katie a light nudge with her elbow.

Katie reddened a little and sought another subject. “This is such a lovely home, Mrs. Albright. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful.”

Mrs. Albright beamed and launched into her favorite topic of conversation. “Isn’t it, love? Let me tell you all about it as I show you around. We’re in quite a historical area, as you must know.”

Which Katie didn’t, but she smiled and nodded, hoping to conceal her ignorance.

“We’re located on a private road on the sought-after Pinner Hill. This substantial six-bedroom home offers a roof terrace with brilliant views over Pinner and London,” she began, as if she were an estate agent trying to sell the property. Motioning for Katie to follow, she ascended a wide, elegant staircase. “The property comprises two light and spacious reception rooms; a well-equipped, modernized kitchen; and—”

Katie felt a tug on her arm keeping her back. She looked back to find Sidney in the midst of a wholehearted chortle. “I think you’ve made a friend for life. She prepared this speech for the historical society and hasn’t had a chance to recite it since.” He released her arm, still chuckling, and turned back down the stairs.

She easily caught back up to Mrs. Albright, who was oblivious to her short absence.

“…Separate utility room, plus an additional first-floor kitchen. As I said, there are six beautifully presented bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, dressing rooms, and access to the roof terrace.”

At the top of the staircase, she turned to Katie, expecting her to express her admiration, which Katie did, right on cue.

“…Two contemporary shower rooms, guest cloakroom, cellar.” She stopped inside a living room that was enormous and lavishly decorated in a way that only the British can pull off. Mrs. Albright pulled the curtains to reveal the back garden. Katie gasped. She had never seen anything so amazing in someone’s private home. This garden rivaled that of some of the finest castles in France. The lush green lawn sprawled for over an acre and was expertly decorated
with at least a dozen different types of gardens. King Louis—any one of them—would have been impressed.

Fencing in the outer edges of the lawn were those magnificent, larger-than-life hedges. There was a small opening just at the back of the lawn that led into a dense forested area. Katie could only make out the tops of the enormous trees from her vantage point at the window, but her sense of adventure had her longing to explore those woods.

Despite the manor’s extravagance, it was still homey. She was surprised how at ease she felt there. She mulled this over while absentmindedly admiring the rest of the house that Mrs. Albright was describing in painstaking detail. The last room on the tour was Sidney’s library, bright and airy with white walls and white furniture. The room gave Katie instant trepidation. She couldn’t wear a white top without getting it filthy; she was afraid of what she could do to a whole room.

“The property is located within an easy distance of a wonderful range of shops, cafes, and bars, whilst being moments from the peaceful open spaces of Pinner Hill,” Mrs. Albright’s speech finally came to a close.

“Bravo! Brilliantly done, Mrs. Albright,” Sidney cheered, surprising them with his applause.

Mrs. Albright and Katie turned around to see Sidney with Lucas and Geoffrey beside him.

“Yes, Mrs. Albright, well done.
Lovely to see you again.”
Lucas gave Mrs. Albright a light kiss on the cheek. The woman blushed so furiously, her face almost matched the color of her hair.

Lucas offered a slight bow of recognition toward Katie. She took a startled step backward.
“Holy crap!
Did you just
bow
? You didn’t just bow at me? Who does that anymore?”

She made a quick grasping motion in front of her lips, as if to catch the errant thoughts escaping from her mouth. When it was apparent every last syllable had not only escaped, but had been clearly heard by all, she clasped a hand over her mouth to silence any more rogue thoughts.

“Sorry?” Lucas’s eyebrows were raised as if he were questioning her sanity.

She couldn’t tell through the ringing in her ears—the kind that follows just after one has made a complete ass of oneself—but she had the distinct feeling he was laughing at her. A quick look around the room confirmed that
everyone
was laughing at her…even Geoffrey. She didn’t think he was capable of mustering a sense of humor.

With effort, she pried her hands from her mouth and felt some of the heat escape her cheeks. “I’m not used to such chivalry back home.” She forced herself to match the joviality of her companions. “Apparently, I was grossly unprepared to stumble into Prince Regency himself.” Her smile was triumphant as she flourished a curtsey toward Lucas.

“Prince Regency. Hmmm,” Lucas mused, casting a broad smile that played her spinal cord like a harp.

“Ho, ho, ho,” Sidney chimed with his contagious laughter, “there’s never going to be a dull moment with
this lass
around, I can tell.”