Youve cut your hair. His tone reflected his dazed state as clearly as it did his disappointment.
Antonia blinked. One hand still trapped in his, she hesitantly put the other to the curls bouncing above one ear. No. Its all still there...just...twisted up.
Philips lips formed a silent Oh.
The odd look Antonia threw him, and Hugos urgent cough, hauled him back to earth with a thump. Thrusting aside the impulse to pull a few pins and reassure himself that her golden mane was indeed as he recalled, he drew in a definite breath and released her. Allow me to present Mr Satterly, a close friend. HugoMiss Mannering. My stepmothers niece.
Hugos suave greeting and Antonias unaffected reply gave Philip time to repair his defences. When Antonia turned back, he smiled urbanely. I take it you finally succumbed to Henriettas pleas?
Her expression open, Antonia met his gaze. Our year of mourning was behind us. The time seemed ripe to visit.
Resisting an unexpected urge to grin delightedly, Philip contented himself with, My humble house is honouredits a pleasure to see you within its walls again. I hope youve planned an extended stayhaving you by will greatly ease Henriettas mind.
A subtle smile curved Antonias lips. Indeed? But there are many factors which might influence how long we remain. She held Philips gaze for an instant longer, then turned to smile at Hugo. But Im keeping you standing. My aunt is presently resting. Antonia glanced at Philip. Do you wish to take tea in the drawing-room?
Beyond her, Philip glimpsed Hugos appalled expression. Ah...perhaps not. He smiled lazily down at Antonia. I fear Hugo is in need of more robust refreshment.
Brows rising, Antonia met his gaze. Then her lips curved; an irrepressible dimple appeared at the corner of her mouth. Ale in the library?
Philips lips twitched. His eyes on hers, he inclined his head. Your wits, dear Antonia, have obviously not dulled with age.
One delicate brow arched but her eyes continued to smile. I fear not, my lord. She nodded to Fenton. Ale in the library for his lordship and Mr Satterly, Fenton.
Yes, miss. Fenton bowed and moved away.
Returning her gaze to Philips face, Antonia smiled calmly. Ill let Aunt Henrietta know youve arrived. Shes just woken from her napIm sure shell be delighted to receive you in half an hour or so. And now, if youll excuse me...?
Philip inclined his head.
Hugo bowed elegantly. Look forward to seeing you at dinner, Miss Mannering.
Philip shot him a sharp glance; Hugo was too busy returning Antonias smile to notice.
Forsaking Hugo, Philip fleetingly met Antonias eyes before she turned away. He watched her cross the hall, then climb the stairs, her hips gently swaying.
Hugo cleared his throat. What happened to that ale?
Philip started. With a quick frown, he gestured towards the library.
* * *
BY THE TIME she reached her bedchamber door, Antonia had succeeded in regaining her breath. She had not imagined her little charade would require such an effort. Her stomach was still tied in knots; her heart had yet to find its customary rhythm. Nervousness was not a reaction to which she was normally susceptible.
A frown knitting her brows, she opened the door. The windows were set wide; the curtains billowed in a gentle breeze. The scents of summer filled the airy chambergreen grass and roses with a hint of lavender from the borders in the Italian garden. Shutting the door, Antonia crossed the room. Placing both palms on the window sill, she leaned forward, breathing deeply.
Well, I declare! Thats your best new muslin.
Whirling, Antonia discovered her maid, Nell, standing before the open wardrobe. Thin and angular, her grey hair pulled tight in an unbecoming bun, Nell was busy replacing chemises and petticoats in their appointed places. Task complete, she turned, hands going to her hips as she surveyed Antonia. I thought you was keeping that for a special occasion?
A secretive smile tugged at Antonias lips; shrugging, she turned back to the view. I decided to wear it today.
Indeed? Nells eyes narrowed. She picked up a pile of kerchiefs and started to sort them. Was that the master who arrived just now?
Yes. Ruthven. Antonia leaned against the window frame. Hes brought a frienda Mr Satterly.
Just the one?
Nells tone had turned suspicious. Antonia smiled. Yes. Theyll be at dinner. Ill have to decide what to wear.
Nell snorted. Shouldnt take you long. If youre to sit down with gentlemen from London, its either the pink taffeta or the jonquil silk.
The jonquil silk, then. And Ill want you to do my hair.
Naturally. Nell closed the wardrobe doors. Id best give a hand downstairs but Ill be back to pretty you up.
Hmm. Antonia leaned her head against the window frame.
Nell swallowed her snort and headed for the door. Hand on the knob, she paused, eyeing the slim figure by the window with open affection. Antonia did not move; Nells eyes narrowed, then her features relaxed. Should I warn Master Geoffrey to come to the table prepared to be civil?
The question jerked Antonia from her reverie. Heavens, yes! I forgot about Geoffrey.
Thats a first, Nell muttered.
Frowning at the bedpost, Antonia didnt hear. Be sure to warn him not to come to table with his nose in a book.
Aye. Ill make the matter plain. With a grim nod, Nell departed.
As the door clicked shut, Antonia turned back to the garden, letting her senses slide into the sylvan beauty. She loved Ruthven Manor. Coming back had felt like coming home; at some instinctive level she had always belonged, not at Mannering Park, but hereamid the gentle rolls of the Downs, surrounded by trees so old they stood like massive sentinels all around the house. Those feelings and her affection for Henrietta had both influenced her decision.
Given Geoffrey was soon to enter the world, it was time for her to do the same. At twenty-four, her prospects were few; prosaic consideration had brought her here.
Philip, Lord Ruthven, had yet to take a wife.
Antonia grimaced, her unprecedented nervousness very fresh in her mind. But there was no place in her scheme for faintheartedness; this afternoon, shed taken the first step. Playing out her part was now inevitableaside from anything else, she would never forgive herself if she didnt at least try. If Philip didnt see her in that light, so be it.
Recalling her promise to warn her aunt of his arrival, she shook herself. Glancing in the mirror, she fluffed her curls, her fingers stilling as she recalled Philips fixation. Her lips quirked. Almost as if hed been bowled overin the circumstances, a definitely heartening thought.
Holding tight to that prop to her confidence, she headed for her aunts rooms.
* * *
Downstairs in the library, duly fortified by a tankard of superlative ale, Hugo turned his thoughts to satisfying his curiosity. Mannering, Mannering, he mused, then cocked a brow at Philip. Cant quite place the family.
Jerked from contemplation of the most beguiling lips hed ever seen, Philip set aside his empty tankard. Yorkshire.
Ahthat explains it. Hugo nodded sagely. The wilds to the north.
Jerked from contemplation of the most beguiling lips hed ever seen, Philip set aside his empty tankard. Yorkshire.
Ahthat explains it. Hugo nodded sagely. The wilds to the north.
Its not as bad as that. Philip settled back. Mannering Park, so I understand, is an estate of some significance.
So whats the darling of it doing here?
Shes Henriettas nieceher father was Henriettas only brother. He and Lady Mannering used to visit every summer. Philip felt the years roll back, saw again a young girl with long thick plaits astride his fathers favourite hunter. Theyd leave Antonia here while they went the rounds through summer. She was always about. Laughing, chattering but, somehow, never irritating. He was ten years her senior, but that had never stopped herhed never been able to retreat behind any superior social facade, not with Antonia. Hed watched her change from a delightfully precocious brat to an engagingly quick-witted young girl; he had yet to come to terms with her most recent transformation.
Their visits stopped when her father died. Philip paused, calculating. Eight years ago now. I understand Lady Mannering declared she was too weary to face the social round thereafter. Henrietta wasisvery fond of Antonia. She issued a standing invitation but apparently Lady Mannering could never spare her daughter.
Hugo raised his brows. So at long last Miss Mannerings escaped the maternal clutches?
Philip shook his head. Lady Mannering died about a year ago. Henrietta renewed her entreaties with a vengeance but, if I recall Henriettas ramblings aright, Antonia was adamant on remaining at Mannering Park to care for her brotherhes much younger than she. Philip frowned. I cant remember how old hed be nowI cant even remember his name.
Whatever, it looks like shes changed her mind.
Knowing Antonia, thats unlikely. Not unless shes altered dramatically. After a moment, Philip added, Perhaps her brothers gone up to Oxford?
Studying his friends distant expression, Hugo sighed. I hate to be obvious but theres a mystery here, in case you havent noticed.
Philip glanced at him. Mystery?
Youve seen the lady! Hugo sat up, gesticulating freely. There she isbeautiful as be damned. Not a giddy girl, nor yet too long in the tooth but the sort to stop a charge of chasseurs in their tracks. And, to all appearances, shes unwed. Sinking back in his chair, Hugo shook his head. Doesnt make sense. If shes as well-born and well-connected as you say, shed have been snapped up years ago. As an afterthought, he asked, They do have gentlemen up north, dont they?
Philips brows slowly rose. Im sure they doand they cant all be blind. A long moment passed while they both considered a situation that, in their experience, constituted a conundrum. A mystery indeed, Philip eventually mused. Given the facts youve so eloquently expounded, I can only conclude that you and I, dear Hugo, might be the first to catch sight of Miss Mannering in many a long year.
Hugos eyes slowly widened. Youre not suggesting her mama kept her locked up?
Not locked up, but possibly very close. Mannering Park is isolated and, I gather, Lady Mannering became something of a recluse. Uncrossing his legs, Philip stood, his expression unreadable. Settling his sleeves, he glanced at Hugo. I rather think I should pay my anticipated visit to Henrietta. As to Miss Mannerings state, I strongly suspect well discover that to be a direct consequence of her mothers malaise.
* * *
HENRIETTA, LADY RUTHVEN, put it rather more forcefully.
A damned shame, if you ask me. No! She held up one hand, pink chins quivering with indignation. I know one is not supposed to speak ill of the dead but Araminta Mannerings neglect of poor Antonia was nothing short of wicked!
They were in Henriettas sitting-room, a cosy apartment made bright with flowers and floral embroideries. Henrietta occupied her favourite armchair beside the hearth; Philip stood before her, one arm negligently extended along the mantelpiece. At the back of the room, Henriettas dresser, Trant, sat stitching industriously, head bent, ears flapping.
Lifting eyes of faded blue presently lit by her ire to Philips face, Henrietta went on, Indeed, if it hadnt been for the good offices of the other local ladies, that poor child would have grown to womanhood with not the first inkling of the social graces. Her expression mulish, she fluffed up her shawls. And as for contracting a suitable allianceit pains me to say it but Im quite sure that that was the furthest thought from Aramintas mind!
With her frown as near as it ever came to forbidding, she looked like an irate owl. Philip set himself to soothe her. I met Antonia as we came in. She seemed wholly confident, quite in her customary mould.
Of course! Henrietta threw him a scornful glance. The girls no namby-pamby chit full of die-away airs! Araminta left the running of that huge old house entirely on Antonias shoulders. Naturally she knows how to greet visitors and act the hostessshes been doing it for years. Not only that, she had to manage the estate and take complete care of Geoffrey, too. Its a wonder she hasnt become bowed down beneath the weight of all the accumulated responsibilities.
Philip raised one brow. Her shouldersindeed, her carriageseem to have held up admirably under the strain.
Humph! Henrietta shot him a glance, then settled deeper into her armchair. Be that as it may, its not right! The poor child should have been brought out years ago. She fell silent, idly toying with a fringe, then she looked up at Philip. I dont know if you were aware of it but we offered to sponsor hertake her to London and introduce her to the ton. Puff her off with all the trimmings. Your father insistedyou know Horace always had a soft spot for Antonia.
Philip nodded, aware that was the truth. Even when, as a scrawny twelve-year-old, Antonia had blithely put a saddle on his fathers favourite hunter and taken the ferocious beast on a long amble about the lanes, his sire, stunned as they all had been, had praised her bottom rather than spanked it. His sire had never disguised the admiration he felt for Antonias particular brand of straightforward confidence, an admiration Philip was well aware he shared.
We argued and even pleaded, but Araminta wouldnt hear of it. Henriettas gaze grew cold. It was perfectly plain she considered Antonias place was to act as her nursemaid and chatelaine; she was determined the girl would have no chance at any other role.
Philip said nothing, his expression remote.
Anyway, Henrietta said, her tone that of one who would brook no denial, Im determined, now that she has come to me, to see Antonia right. Lifting her head, she fixed Philip with a challenging stare. I intend taking her to London for the Little Season.
For one instant Philip felt shaken, but by what force he couldnt comprehend. Holding fast to his customary imperturbability, he raised his brows. Indeed?
Henrietta nodded, the action an eloquent testimony to the strength of her resolution.
A pause ensued, which Philip, somewhat diffidently, broke. Might I enquire as to whether you have any... he gestured languidly ...further scheme in mind?