that for someone who affected complete indifference to Mr Serle, Bea mentioned his name rather frequently. And for someone who had been so greatly insulted, Justin paid an amazing number of visits to check on Miss Dencey’s recovery and to report to her on Tom’s progress.
Was it really possible, Johanna wondered, that her quiet young cousin was proving attractive to Justin Serle, the man of whom matchmaking mamas had despaired for years? How very amusing it all was! And what a feather in her cap it would be if she could promote a match between Bea and Justin.
Even her fussy mother would approve of that connection.
Chapter 5
The Dowager was upset. “Look at this!” she said, brandishing a piece of paper at Eleanor. “How dare he?”
“What’s wrong, Grandmamma?” Now that Bea was away, Eleanor found herself expected to listen to her grandmother more attentively over their midday meal - which made her realize how skilfully Bea had smoothed things over before and kept the old lady tranquil. She tried to do the same, but had to admit that she was not as good at this as her young aunt was.
“You can never trust a Herforth to do what’s right!” the Dowager said bitterly. “Although he is the heir to Satherby - an honour he does not deserve, I might add - he has written to say he will not be available to visit until later in the year.”
“I didn’t know you were expecting him, Grandmamma.”
“I invited him expressly to come here so that I could make sure he’s up to snuff. But,” awful scorn filled her voice, “he cannot even make the effort.” She scowled down at the letter. “Ignorant clodpate! Placing farming and such menial occupations before the well-being of estates which have belonged to The Family for two centuries and which it is now his bounden duty to preserve and protect.”
Eleanor was surprised at the depth of anger in her grandmother’s voice. “But he cannot just leave his other responsibilities, surely?” she ventured. “And he is going to come here later in the year, so that will be all right.”
“Satherby is by far the most important of his responsibilities. And I had planned to have him here now. He must learn to behave in a way consonant with his new and totally undeserved status in life.” She breathed deeply, crumpled the letter in her hand, then let it drop beside her plate.
Eleanor returned to her breakfast, but when she glanced sideways she was worried at how white and frail her grandmother looked.
Indeed, after this expenditure of nervous energy, the Dowager admitted to her maid that she felt quite washed out, and agreed to rest and recruit her strength for a few days while she decided on what tack to take next with the elusive heir.
Her fretting and fuming at mealtimes would have made Eleanor’s life quite intolerable had that young lady not had several other things to divert her. She had lately found another supplier of romantic novels in the nearby town and had her head stuffed full of the adventures of a series of dashing heroines so reckless they regularly landed themselves in the direst straits just as the dinner bell rang. Then poor Eleanor had to endure an evening’s suspense before she could find out how their problems were resolved.
In addition, there was Snowy. The fluffy white puppy, which Beatrice had given her before she left, needed training and exercising, and that occupied a considerable amount of Eleanor’s time. A dog which was to be allowed inside the Dowager’s residence when he grew older needed impeccable manners and must be perfectly groomed at all times.
Best of all, however, Eleanor had made a new acquaintance, quite unknown to her grandmother, and this added considerable interest to her days.
Only Eleanor’s groom, Anders, was aware of her new friend, and although he objected strongly at first, she managed to persuade him to suspend judgment.
Anders had been her father’s head groom and had brought Eleanor to the Abbey
Was it really possible, Johanna wondered, that her quiet young cousin was proving attractive to Justin Serle, the man of whom matchmaking mamas had despaired for years? How very amusing it all was! And what a feather in her cap it would be if she could promote a match between Bea and Justin.
Even her fussy mother would approve of that connection.
Chapter 5
The Dowager was upset. “Look at this!” she said, brandishing a piece of paper at Eleanor. “How dare he?”
“What’s wrong, Grandmamma?” Now that Bea was away, Eleanor found herself expected to listen to her grandmother more attentively over their midday meal - which made her realize how skilfully Bea had smoothed things over before and kept the old lady tranquil. She tried to do the same, but had to admit that she was not as good at this as her young aunt was.
“You can never trust a Herforth to do what’s right!” the Dowager said bitterly. “Although he is the heir to Satherby - an honour he does not deserve, I might add - he has written to say he will not be available to visit until later in the year.”
“I didn’t know you were expecting him, Grandmamma.”
“I invited him expressly to come here so that I could make sure he’s up to snuff. But,” awful scorn filled her voice, “he cannot even make the effort.” She scowled down at the letter. “Ignorant clodpate! Placing farming and such menial occupations before the well-being of estates which have belonged to The Family for two centuries and which it is now his bounden duty to preserve and protect.”
Eleanor was surprised at the depth of anger in her grandmother’s voice. “But he cannot just leave his other responsibilities, surely?” she ventured. “And he is going to come here later in the year, so that will be all right.”
“Satherby is by far the most important of his responsibilities. And I had planned to have him here now. He must learn to behave in a way consonant with his new and totally undeserved status in life.” She breathed deeply, crumpled the letter in her hand, then let it drop beside her plate.
Eleanor returned to her breakfast, but when she glanced sideways she was worried at how white and frail her grandmother looked.
Indeed, after this expenditure of nervous energy, the Dowager admitted to her maid that she felt quite washed out, and agreed to rest and recruit her strength for a few days while she decided on what tack to take next with the elusive heir.
Her fretting and fuming at mealtimes would have made Eleanor’s life quite intolerable had that young lady not had several other things to divert her. She had lately found another supplier of romantic novels in the nearby town and had her head stuffed full of the adventures of a series of dashing heroines so reckless they regularly landed themselves in the direst straits just as the dinner bell rang. Then poor Eleanor had to endure an evening’s suspense before she could find out how their problems were resolved.
In addition, there was Snowy. The fluffy white puppy, which Beatrice had given her before she left, needed training and exercising, and that occupied a considerable amount of Eleanor’s time. A dog which was to be allowed inside the Dowager’s residence when he grew older needed impeccable manners and must be perfectly groomed at all times.
Best of all, however, Eleanor had made a new acquaintance, quite unknown to her grandmother, and this added considerable interest to her days.
Only Eleanor’s groom, Anders, was aware of her new friend, and although he objected strongly at first, she managed to persuade him to suspend judgment.
Anders had been her father’s head groom and had brought Eleanor to the Abbey
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