A Spinster No More by Rose Pearson
Chapter Sixteen
October 1820, Hertfordshire
“I shan’t go,”Everton said setting down the letter that had just arrived from his old friend, William Pierce. “I am exhausted and can think of nothing worse than being surrounded by all those screaming babies that Charlotte and William seem to insist upon having all the time.”
Henry looked up from his book, and chuckled. “You say that, as if you wish to mean it,” he said. “But I don’t believe you actually do.”
Everton sighed. “You are right, I do not mean it. I am rather fond of their children. In the main, they seem to be very well-behaved and actually rather clever.”
“So, why do you really not wish to attend?”
Everton didn’t think he could possibly admit that he was afraid that Miss Knorr might have been invited. He knew how close her friendship with Lady Mary was, and how much Miss Knorr had hated not being able to attend William and Mary’s first child’s christening. If she was not bound to a household now, and he hadn’t heard anything to suggest that she had taken on a new charge, then she would be free to attend – and he did not wish to make anything uncomfortable for her – or his old friends.
“It is Miss Knorr, isn’t it? You keep avoiding everything because you fear you might see her there. I think it is perfectly clear, from her letters to Caroline, that she is safely ensconced in the country, miles away from here. I think you have little to fear – and William would be most put out if you miss it. He has asked you to stand as godfather. It is not as if you would be any old guest.”
Everton hated it when Henry was right – especially about matters such as this. If even he thought that Everton should attend, then he really ought to. Henry was so adept at discovering excuses not to attend events he did not wish to. If he could not think of a reason why Everton should not go, then there was none.
“Then I had best get myself packed and on the road,” he said with regret. Henry was probably right. Miss Knorr would be most unlikely to be in attendance. And even if she was, it wasn’t as if they had parted on bad terms – just somewhat silent ones on his behalf. He had felt bad about it ever since. He should have spoken to her. It wasn’t her fault that her charge was the very image of his lost love. Months of living with Caroline had assured him most completely that she was nothing like his Katherine, as he had always known - and he had come to be a little more settled in his emotions once more.
He could not deny that there were still moments when he missed Katherine. But, as it had been before his brother’s nuptials, he had accepted that would always be the way of things – and that it was time to let her rest in peace while he did his best to honor her memory. He knew that remaining unmarried and alone was not the way to do that. She would have hated to think of him pining endlessly for her.
“When will you admit to yourself that you love her, brother?” Henry said suddenly, interrupting Everton from his thoughts. “You cannot keep running from that.”
“I do not,” Everton protested, but then paused. Again, if even Henry had noticed such a thing, it had probably been obvious to everyone else for months. He had believed that he had been circumspect, in order to protect her reputation. And he had distanced himself from her as soon as his feelings had grown too complicated – or at least he had tried to. Perhaps it had already been too late by then.
He missed her, every single day. The end of the Season had been dreadfully dull without her there to talk with and dance with. Even the king’s coronation had seemed dull and lifeless – despite Prinny’s determination to make it a grand spectacle. Miss Knorr had become the barometer by which he measured his own enjoyment of an event – and without her there, he enjoyed almost nothing.
With an exasperated sigh, he stomped out of the library and up to his chambers. His valet, Jenkins, was awaiting him. “How do you always know when I have need of you?” Everton asked him.
“It is my job to know,” Jenkins said with an unexpected grin. “Servants always know everything before their masters, and so things become easy to anticipate.”
“I know that to be true,” Everton said with a wry smile. “Things could be very different if some servants stood up and told all they know.”
“Not here, though, sir,” Jenkins said. “Your family have remarkably few secrets.”
Everton chuckled. “Oh, the secrets are there,” he said, “just ask Kingsley.”
Jenkins laughed. “I doubt anyone knows his secrets. Never known a man like him.” He paused. “I’ve taken the liberty of calling for a couple of the maids to assist with your packing, sir. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all,” Everton said. “I will need warm clothes, for indoors and outdoors. There are some wonderful places to ride near Alnerton in the autumn. I have been invited to stay for two weeks, but father will need me back before then, so only need enough for one week. And, pack the royal blue velvet jacket for the baptism itself. I hope to leave at first light tomorrow. Thank you, Jenkins.”
“My pleasure, sir.” The young man gave a respectful nod, then began to pull out shirts and breeches, undergarments, waistcoats and jackets.
Everton left him to it. His father and mother were in London. He wondered if they too were packing in order to attend the baptism. He wouldn’t be surprised if they had been invited as well. Through his contacts with the Duke of Compton, his father had been doing business with William’s father, the Duke of Mormont, recently. Given his own long-standing friendship and this strong connection, it would be quite rude if they had not been issued an invitation. He sincerely hoped that they would be there. He had not seen them for some months. When he was in Hertfordshire it was usually because his father was in London, and vice-versa – so that there was always someone present to oversee the family’s interests in either location.
He ate a light supper that night and had an early night. He would have to set off at just after dawn in order to reach Alnerton before nightfall. He had done it in less, from time to time at break-neck speeds, but he was no neck-or-nothing rider and preferred to take his time when he could. He would stop at the Old Nag’s Head for lunch on the way, where he would be able to enjoy a fine claret with an excellent steak and ale pie.
He slept surprisingly well and awoke with the dawn. His journey passed smoothly, and soon his carriage pulled onto the long driveway to Caldor House. He had not visited William in some time and was impressed by the changes made to the formal gardens in particular. They seemed to be full of colorful blooms now. Everton was sure that was down to Lady Mary, who adored flowers – especially roses. Cott was there to greet him with an affectionate slap on the back. “Good to see you, Cormick,” he said proudly as he showed Everton inside. “Glad you could make it.”
“I was honored to be invited. Are you truly sure you wish me to be your child’s godparent? I’m not exactly cut out for it.”
“No need to fear, the boy will have two other excellent godparents with much more esteemed characters than your own,” Lord William teased. The men laughed together heartily.
Lady Mary emerged from one of the rooms off the grand hallway. “William, do try and keep it down. Both boys are in bed, and I know that myself and their nanny would like it to remain that way.” She turned to Everton. “Welcome, Mr. Cormick. It is wonderful to see you again. We are so glad you could come. William will take you up to your rooms. I’ve had to put you in the green suite, as your usual rooms are already taken. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Lady Mary, you may set me to sleep in the stables if you need,” Everton said gallantly, kissing the air above the back of his hostess’ hand.
“I doubt that will be necessary,” William said with a grin as he led Everton up the stairs. “The house is more than adequate to put up the guests we have. Sadly, your father could not get away from his work, but your Mama arrived earlier today. She is in the rooms next to yours. Claveston and Sophie are here, back from their trip in Europe, with Gertrude as well. So, you should find someone to amuse you, old chap.”
“And I assume that your sister and James will be here from time to time?” Everton checked as they started to head down a narrow corridor on the second floor.
“Of course, try keeping Charlotte and Mary apart,” William said, his contentment showing in every word and his entire face beaming with happiness. “She is determined that the children will all grow up as close friends and not just cousins.”
“As it should be,” Everton agreed.
William pushed open a door at the end of the corridor. Everton could immediately see why it was called the green room. Brocade drapes in lime green and silver adorned the windows, with matching ones on the ornately carved four-poster bed, which was covered with a matching counterpane. The walls were decorated in a dark green colored silk, with embroidered fleur de lys all over. His trunk already sat at the end of the bed, waiting for him. “I like it,” he said sincerely. William chuckled again.
“I hate it,” he admitted. “But each to their own. I’ll leave you to freshen up. There’s hot water on the washstand. Come down when you are ready. Dinner won’t be served until you do.”
William closed the door behind him, leaving Everton alone. He took off his jacket, pulled off his shirt and stared at himself in the mirror over the washstand. He could use a shave but there was not time if dinner was waiting for him. He poured water from ewer into the bowl and splashed some all over his face, neck and torso, before taking the soap and a cloth and washing himself more thoroughly. He dried himself carefully and rummaged in the trunk for a clean shirt and breeches.
Barely ten minutes later he was dressed, and on his way back down the stairs, his blonde floppy hair tied back as best he could ever manage. He was almost at the bottom of the first staircase when Miss Knorr emerged from one of the first-floor corridors. He paused, biting at his lip. “Good evening,” he said as she looked up and saw him, her pretty mouth forming a perfect circle as she saw him there.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were expected,” she said, awkwardly.
“Nor I you,” he said. “But I am glad to see you, Miss Knorr. I must apologize for my dreadful behavior at Henry’s wedding, and the lunch the following day.”
“There is no need. We were both busy, there were so many people clamoring for everyone’s attention. It was a wonderful day. I was so pleased for dear Henry and Caroline. How are they both? I am never entirely sure from Caroline’s letters; she tends to talk only of things they have been studying.”
Everton laughed. “They do not think such trivial things as how they are matter,” he said. “But they are both well, and most content with one another. Henry is to return to Oxford. He has a position as a tutor to start and will be able to undertake the research he so loves and get paid to do it. Caroline and I rather insisted he tell my father that was what he wanted. Once she took that part, he seemed bolstered enough to do so.”
“I am so glad,” she said. “Though I can only presume that makes more work for you and your father?”
“It does, but it is worth it to see Henry so content. Father and I thrive on having much to occupy us.” He was surprised at how quickly they had slipped back into their usual way of being with one another. He had missed this so much and hadn’t known just how much until being here with Miss Knorr once more.
The clock in the hallway struck the quarter hour, intruding upon the unexpectedly intimate moment. “We should go down,” Miss Knorr said a little nervously. “I hate to be late.”
“I believe dinner is on hold until I make my appearance,” Everton assured her. “So, you will not be considered late unless you arrive after me.” He offered her his arm, and they made their way down the stairs.
