"Ah," Lord Edgehill smiled, "we were beginning to wonder if you were coming after all."
"Oh, I wouldn't miss it," I smirked at Leah, "it will be lovely just to chat on our way over . . . "
"Drat," Leah stomped her foot, "I forgot that I'm supposed to help Sarah with her painting today." She looked up at her father, "I'm sorry, but I did promise."
"I'm sure Sarah will understand," Lord Edgehill said, "I thought you wanted to get Alice with me."
"I do, Father, but a promise . . . and you will have Miss Edgehill with you," she smiled a cunning little smile, "and I shall be here when you return!" Leah pulled her father's arm until he was close enough for her to kiss his cheek.
"Well then it is just you and I, Miss Woodbridge, unless you have remembered an obscure promise at the last minute?" he offered as Leah ran off down the hall.
"With all of my companions otherwise engaged, you have my undivided attention," I curtsied.
Lord Edgehill let his mouth relax into and easy lopsided smile, much like the one I've seen grace Thomas' face, and he offered his arm, "Shall we?" I looped my arm through his and followed him to the carriage. He set the basket beside him on the seat and I sat across from him. Once he tapped the roof and we were on our way he looked at me pensively, "You know my household has gotten topsy-turvy since you've arrived, Miss Woodbridge."
"Then I should apologize," I said lowering my eyes.
"Did I say it was a bad thing?" he laughed, "No, it is quite refreshing. My son has cut back on his . . . how do I put this . . . vices?"
"I think that will suffice," I nodded.
"He has been home more and attentive. I think he and his sister have even been conspiring on some occasions," he glanced at me with a cocked eyebrow. My reaction must have been what he was after because he continued, "I'll take that as a yes . . . as well as knowing the why."
"I'm sorry, my Lord?"
"Oh stop that infernal "Lord" talk," he scolded, "If you will not call me Gideon, Mr. Edgehill is good enough for me." He let out sigh, "You do realize that we only inherited the title because my uncle had no children . . . "
"I did not know, Mr. Edgehill," he gave me a queer look and then nodded his acceptance.
"Yes, and the title with all of its perks, has taken my wife . . . and my children . . . well, my son at least . . . "
"I don't think that you give your son enough credit, Sir," I said bowing my head as I interrupted, "Just since my time with your family, he seems quite remarkable . . . but he does not let many catch a glimpse of that side of him."
Lord Edgehill nestled back into his seat and crossed his arms as he watched me explain, "Thomas is remarkable?"
"Perhaps the wrong words, Sir, but yes," I took a deep breath and went on, "He surprises me most often . . . doing things that I think would be out of character for him. The drastic change from the first time I met him to that first dinner at your home . . . to the days after the arrangement was made . . . "
"Miss Woodbridge, you do realize that your brother came at me to annul the contract?"
"I do, and I asked him not to," I asserted.
"Why would you do that?"
I felt my cheeks flush, "Patience went to a great deal of trouble to find me a suitable match," I fiddled with the tassel on my reticule, "Many people would be put out . . . "
"Dear Lord, you're in love with him!" he laughed to himself, cupping his hand over his mouth. I felt extremely self conscious and wished again today that I could vanish. "How did he manage that?" he shook his head and took my hand, "Is that why you didn't want the contract voided?"
I nodded, "Even if we are only bound by that contract right now," I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat, "I believe my happiness revolves around him somehow . . . "
"Does he know?"
"I believe he feels similarly," I offered a weak smile.
"He is a very lucky man . . . " Lord Edgehill nodded, "to find such a wonderful woman that has suffered so much to stay by his side."
"I have not suffered . . . "
"No need to be a martyr with me," he broke in, "I know that you and your brother's wife do not see eye to eye, just as I know that she and my wife are all consumed by climbing the social hierarchy." I nodded in agreement before he continued. "I think it's fair to say that you were not agreeable to the arrangement when it was first breeched, and possibly even put out because there was another young man?"
"But we were not attached!" I exclaimed.
"He was the one that came to the ball, wasn't he?" I nodded. "And you were already in love with Thomas by then?" I nodded again. "Do you still wish to say that you have not suffered?" I said nothing. He opened the basket and removed a small bundle and handed it to me, "Mrs. Merryweather knows one way to soothe girls' hearts."
I opened the cloth to find one of Leah's favorite cakes, "This was meant for Leah, wasn't it?"
"Who is to say that there is only one?" he smiled and removed another bundle. "I think we shall indulge today and eat our desserts first." I could not keep from laughing as he took a bite of the cake and the dusting sugar coated his upper lip like a white moustache.
"I do hope that Thomas is quite like you," I smiled as I broke a piece from my cake and popped it into my mouth.
"That has to be one of the best compliments that I ever received, my dear. Thank you."
The rest of the ride was easy and enjoyable as we talked. The closer we got to Seamus' estate, the more excited Lord Edgehill got in regards to dogs. I dare think that I know about every dog he has ever owned. From what I can tell, any dog would be extremely lucky to have a master so invested in their care and well-being.
"Since Leah is not here it will not have to be a secret, but I had Mrs. Merryweather make a special bundle for Alice," he said pulling out a red cloth bundle.
"Alice?"
"Yes, my hunting companion," he nodded opening the cloth, "See here, there's some chicken and carrots . . . good things for Alice's belly." I wanted to laugh but he was so genuine in his thoughts that I kept it to myself. "I want her to get used to the good meals she will have."
"She is a very lucky dog," I nodded my approval. We sat quietly and watched as we passed the rolling hills of Seamus' estate.
As our carriage got closer to the estate, we could hear the sounds of barking rushing towards us, "Now that's a welcome," Lord Edgehill smiled. He pointed out the window and when I looked I saw about five dogs headed our way, "Those are Seamus' hounds, they have free reign of the land . . . but they never venture far."
"They are spaniels, right?"
"Good eye," he winked, "he has three varieties of spaniel . . . the springer spaniel, the Welsh springer and the field spaniel."
"Is that all?" I joked watching the frolicking dogs run alongside of the carriage.
"Oh, see that one with the curls? That is a water spaniel," he said indicating one of the two tan and white dogs, "He is excellent at duck hunting."
"They are splendid," I nodded as the carriage came to a stop by the cottage in the back yard, "I suppose it is a shame that I do not hunt."
Lord Edgehill helped me out of the carriage, the five dogs that accompanied us up the path were eagerly awaiting some attention, "Yes, boys, I'm am glad to see you too," he laughed bending over to pet them. "Don't worry, Miss Woodbridge, they are well behaved . . . mostly," he chuckled as the water spaniel jumped up on him.
"Oy, get down," a voice boomed across the yard. A short, slightly rounded man was making his way to us, "Gideon, I thought you would have been here at daybreak to get your princess."
"That is Seamus O'Bannon, good friend and breeder of the finest spaniels I have ever encountered," Lord Edgehill whispered as the other man sauntered closer, "Don't be afraid of his demeanor, he's Irish." I stifled a laugh.
"I've had her ready . . . oh, you've come with company?" Seamus said noticing me, "That's not Leah is it?"
"No, Leah ran off to do some painting, this is Miss Margaret Woodbridge," Lord Edgehill bowed his head a bit.
"She's too young an' pretty for you," Seamus laughed, "How did he cajole your company, Miss? Blink if you need me to rescue ya." I laughed along with him, his boisterous laughter was contagious.
"Oh aren't you funny today," Lord Edgehill chuckled as he patted Seamus on the back, "Miss Edgehill here will be my daughter . . . if Thomas realizes how lucky he is." I felt my cheeks warm and I really do wish I was not so easy to blush.
"Ah, I see, there is romance in the air!" Seamus nodded, "Why do the young men have all the luck?" he asked turning to Lord Edgehill.
"I don't know what you're talking about, I have a perfectly lovely wife at home," Lord Edgehill grinned figuring he had the upper hand on his friend.
"Yet you've been spending almost every day here, fawning o'r your new sweetheart! Come now, let's get her out of the kennel," Seamus lead the way to the cottage. As we neared I heard the happy yaps of puppies and I longed to hold each and every one of them.