have consented to that fateful dance, which was tantamount to a public declaration of his intentions.
To distract herself from these less than gratifying recollections, Ellie gave her attention to the pastoral delights outside the carriage window. A shallow, pebbly stream ran alongside the drive for some way before turning across their path, at which point a charming blue-and-white bridge spanned the sparkling water. Ellie could not help but smile at the sight of a graceful mother swan, with nine little cygnets in tow, paddling towards them along the little brook.
Suddenly, they were there. The carriage halted before the imposing columned portico, and a footman leapt down to open the door and lower the steps. Breathing deeply of the fresh country air, Ellie followed the Winston-Fittses out onto the drive.
"I—I had no idea Huntington Park would be so big, " said Rosalind, looking about her in awe.
"Yes, my dear, think how grand that you will soon be mistress of it all," said her mother complacently, taking in the view of the lawns with a proprietary air. "Not that you will spend as much time here as in London, of course."
Ellie thought Rosalind looked more than a little frightened at the prospect and sought to soothe her. "Don't worry, dear. I don't doubt Lord Dearborn has an army of servants, under a very able housekeeper, to deal with all of the day-to-day workings of the place. And of course, there is his mother, the Countess."
As if on cue, the front door opened, and the Earl and his mother stood there to greet them. Lord Dearborn looked incredibly handsome in his dark blue riding coat and gleaming boots, but it was the Countess who drew all eyes. Swathed in violet and crimson silk, she wore rubies and amethysts at her throat, wrists and ears, while red and purple feathers swayed above her high-piled white hair, giving an impression of regal height to her diminutive frame.
"Welcome, welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Winston-Fitts!" she cried, coming forward with hands outstretched. "And this must be Rosalind!" She paused briefly to survey her son's chosen lady with apparent delight before turning to Ellie.
"My niece, Miss O'Day," supplied Mr. Winston-Fitts when his wife made no move to present her.
"Of course. Welcome, dear. Please, won't you all come inside? Hutchins will show you to your rooms, and you can rest and freshen up after your journey before joining us in the main parlour. Only two or three others have yet arrived, but I expect several more within the hour, as the weather is so fine. Indeed, we should have a delightful summer, as the oak was in leaf well before the ash this spring."
They all advanced into the vaulted front hall while she spoke, and when his mother paused for breath, Lord Dearborn took the opportunity to greet his guests. "Your presence enhances my home, Miss Winston-Fitts," he said to Rosalind after exchanging pleasantries with her parents and Ellie. "I hope you will be most comfortable here. If you should want for anything, you need only ask."
Rosalind avoided his eye during this speech, but Mrs. Winston-Fitts preened at the obvious implication that her daughter was to regard Huntington Park as her home.
"You are most gracious, my lord," she fairly twittered before Rosalind's silence could become noticeable. "I was just telling the others as we came up the drive that I have never seen such a lovely house in my life. I have no doubt that Rosalind will find everything perfectly to her liking, as shall we."
On that cordial note, the newly arrived guests repaired to the chambers prepared for them, taking interested notice of their surroundings as they went. Ellie thought the entry hall simply magnificent with its domed ceiling and marble floor of white and gold. The great staircase mounted to a sort of balcony, which ran along three sides at the first floor level, the numerous arches off it no doubt leading to various living chambers. It was all far grander than anything she had ever seen,
To distract herself from these less than gratifying recollections, Ellie gave her attention to the pastoral delights outside the carriage window. A shallow, pebbly stream ran alongside the drive for some way before turning across their path, at which point a charming blue-and-white bridge spanned the sparkling water. Ellie could not help but smile at the sight of a graceful mother swan, with nine little cygnets in tow, paddling towards them along the little brook.
Suddenly, they were there. The carriage halted before the imposing columned portico, and a footman leapt down to open the door and lower the steps. Breathing deeply of the fresh country air, Ellie followed the Winston-Fittses out onto the drive.
"I—I had no idea Huntington Park would be so big, " said Rosalind, looking about her in awe.
"Yes, my dear, think how grand that you will soon be mistress of it all," said her mother complacently, taking in the view of the lawns with a proprietary air. "Not that you will spend as much time here as in London, of course."
Ellie thought Rosalind looked more than a little frightened at the prospect and sought to soothe her. "Don't worry, dear. I don't doubt Lord Dearborn has an army of servants, under a very able housekeeper, to deal with all of the day-to-day workings of the place. And of course, there is his mother, the Countess."
As if on cue, the front door opened, and the Earl and his mother stood there to greet them. Lord Dearborn looked incredibly handsome in his dark blue riding coat and gleaming boots, but it was the Countess who drew all eyes. Swathed in violet and crimson silk, she wore rubies and amethysts at her throat, wrists and ears, while red and purple feathers swayed above her high-piled white hair, giving an impression of regal height to her diminutive frame.
"Welcome, welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Winston-Fitts!" she cried, coming forward with hands outstretched. "And this must be Rosalind!" She paused briefly to survey her son's chosen lady with apparent delight before turning to Ellie.
"My niece, Miss O'Day," supplied Mr. Winston-Fitts when his wife made no move to present her.
"Of course. Welcome, dear. Please, won't you all come inside? Hutchins will show you to your rooms, and you can rest and freshen up after your journey before joining us in the main parlour. Only two or three others have yet arrived, but I expect several more within the hour, as the weather is so fine. Indeed, we should have a delightful summer, as the oak was in leaf well before the ash this spring."
They all advanced into the vaulted front hall while she spoke, and when his mother paused for breath, Lord Dearborn took the opportunity to greet his guests. "Your presence enhances my home, Miss Winston-Fitts," he said to Rosalind after exchanging pleasantries with her parents and Ellie. "I hope you will be most comfortable here. If you should want for anything, you need only ask."
Rosalind avoided his eye during this speech, but Mrs. Winston-Fitts preened at the obvious implication that her daughter was to regard Huntington Park as her home.
"You are most gracious, my lord," she fairly twittered before Rosalind's silence could become noticeable. "I was just telling the others as we came up the drive that I have never seen such a lovely house in my life. I have no doubt that Rosalind will find everything perfectly to her liking, as shall we."
On that cordial note, the newly arrived guests repaired to the chambers prepared for them, taking interested notice of their surroundings as they went. Ellie thought the entry hall simply magnificent with its domed ceiling and marble floor of white and gold. The great staircase mounted to a sort of balcony, which ran along three sides at the first floor level, the numerous arches off it no doubt leading to various living chambers. It was all far grander than anything she had ever seen,
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