Chapter 25
Drew reined in his horse at the front of the manse as one of the grooms ran out to take charge of his steed. Heading up the granite steps, he hadn’t made it half way when the door swung open.
“My lord.” The butler made to take the gloves Drew had just pulled off. “Mrs. Pins delivered the riding ensembles you ordered. I had them placed in the proper bedchambers. There were multiple boxes for each as I believe you ordered all the appropriate accoutrements.”
“Just so. Thank you. Where is my Lady Marianne?” Drew raked his hand through his hair hoping that would be enough to reorder it as he really did not want to take the time to go to his bedchamber to freshen up.
“She is in the back gardens with Lady Andrea.”
“I’ll just head back there. Can you bring tea?”
“Certainly. But, my lord . . .”
Drew turned back from his trek down the marble tiled hallway. “Yes?”
“She is with the visitor. Sir Gentilly.”
Could Wellingford possibly be attempting to subvert a sneer?
“Of course.” Drew nodded, then headed toward the gardens to look for his wife.
Heading through the French doors in the morning room and down the veranda steps, the scent of burgeoning flowers welcomed him to the ever beautiful gardens his mother had so loved and his father had begrudgingly maintained after her death. In spite of cutting the gardening staff in half, the floral beds closest to the house were still a sight to behold, maybe more so since many had been left to revert back to their natural state.
Walking along the paths he could hear chatting near the ancient weeping willow whose lower bough held a swing much like the one he had made for Andrea in London. It had been one of his favorite places as a child and it pleased him that his wife had discovered the entertainment and brought their daughter there.
As for Gentilly . . . that was a different matter entirely.
As he neared, he could clearly hear the discussion going on and decided he would pause once again to discern the direction of his wife’s thoughts on the unrelenting interloper.
“Robert, I told you before I’m sorry I did not communicate with you. I didn’t even contact my parents. We left in such a hurry and I hoped that I might get the bailiff on this property to do as I requested. I just didn’t take the time to send you, or anyone, a note.”
“Marianne, it’s been over a week. You’ve had the time. You could have made the time. The mail is not that slow. Has he caused a change of heart so easily, so quickly? Have the last two years and my dedication to you meant nothing?”
“Of course, they have meant a great deal. You have been there for me all this time. And you have been patient. I cannot help that the earl returned. I had no expectation he would when runner after runner came back with absolutely no proof he still existed. I, too, had expected to have the legal processes begin to free me from his responsibilities. And you know that meant the rightful heir would have been found and I would relinquish all responsibilities for running the estate, as well as all the proceeds that we reaped from them. I had no idea what income would be left for me to provide for Andrea. Or for our life together.”
“Mama, push. Don’t stop. Push.”
“I’m sorry, little one. I’ve gotten distracted.”
“Yes, mama. Yes!”
Evidently Marianne’s persistent suitor distracted her from her real purpose.
“Your money is irrelevant, my dear. I would have taken care of you regardless. Though I am not wealthy like the earl, the two of us would live quite comfortably.”
Gentilly never mentioned Andrea. Never reminded Marianne she must give her up to choose to spend the rest of her life with him. Drew would wager Gentilly didn’t want to muddy the waters with that decision. Given the choice, wouldn’t a good mother such as Marianne select the best course for her child?
Drew knew clearly that was something he held in his favor and had been very forthright about it. Even if she considered it blackmail, that was not his primary intent. Andrea was his child and he was in a position to properly care for her at the highest levels. Who knew what this usurper would provide for their daughter? He did not even include her in his discussions. And, what if Marianne provided him with a child of his own?
Some men could be very nasty to children of prior liaisons, regardless of who the father was. Or because of it.
Thankfully, he had survived to return to his wife and his unexpected but most appreciated child.
Gentilly’s agitated voice fractured his reverie. “So, he has returned. Give him back his properties and their ledgers. Let them be his problem now. A woman such as yourself shouldn’t have to deal with such complicated and mundane matters. He should be able to run his own affairs. If he can’t, what difficulty should that be to us? We’ll go on about our business and be the happier for it.”
“Robert, what a terrible thing to say. I feel useful dealing with his estate and the bailiffs.” Marianne’s voice sounded shocked and annoyed. His rival might have overplayed his hand by demeaning her intelligence and contribution. “I feel accomplished when the yields improve and all of us improve our financial situation. I would miss being an integral part of such a successful endeavor.”
Drew smiled. Another stroke for him.
It was time he ended the discussion and move things in a more beneficial direction for himself and their daughter. He walked around the high hedge that had shielded him from view and separated the hanging leaves that shrouded the tree, the swing, and the threesome.
The conversation abruptly halted and a charged hush fell between Gentilly and his Marianne.
“Papa! Papa, push me. Push me high. Mama doesn’t.”
Bless Andrea’s heart for discharging the tension. Today she wore a big red bow in her hair to coordinate with the red and white gingham dress with its little white ruffled pinafore. As usual, she looked quite adorable. He smiled warmly at her. “Of course, my little love. But not too high. I haven’t a strap to keep you on this swing.”
Marianne beamed at him as she stepped aside. “Good afternoon, my lord. How was your ride over the lands?”
Drew nodded and smiled back as he gave Andrea a push. “All is well. Smith has everything in hand and the other crofters seem pleased with the change.”
“Wheeee! Uppy, uppy, Papa!”
Drew gave another little push. “Marianne, the riding garments have been delivered from Mrs. Pins and Smith delivered the promised pony for Andrea yesterday. Might we plan our first lesson early tomorrow morning?”
Marianne stepped back and watched him push their daughter on the swing. “I think that could be arranged.”
After another squeal, Andrea said, “Pony! Yes, I want to ride the pony!”
Gentilly rose from the garden bench with a huff. “Really, Marianne. I no longer know who you are. Disappearing from London. Learning to ride a horse. Gallivanting all over the countryside. What in the world has come over you?” His outburst complete, the interloper stalked off through the willow’s cascading fronds.
Marianne turned back from watching her suitor’s exit. “I’m so sorry, Drew. He really has no right to complain.”
Drew gave the swing another gentle shove. “No matter. I expect he’ll be on his way shortly. Will you leave with him?”
Surprise flared in Marianne’s face. “Why, no, my lord. I have no expectation of leaving at this time. We have work to do here.”
“Higher, Papa. Higher!”
Drew nodded and brought his attention back to Andrea. “Of course, little one. Just a bit higher until I fix the swing.”