Page 50 of A Foolish Flirtation

By the time they reached their first layover, three hours later, Teddy was not the only one smothering his yawns. Both ladies looked weary, and Jeremy proposed that they shared a room, while he and Teddy bunked in together. Emmeline looked grateful for the suggestion though deep down he would have preferred her to be disappointed by such sleeping arrangements.

Still, he contented himself with the thought that once they reached Vance Park, he would have her all to himself. He would be generous and allow her these last few days with her precious companion. He slept indifferently despite the comfortable bed, and Teddy woke very early and talked his ear off until it was time for breakfast. They descended to the private parlor to find Emmeline and Miss Pinson already in residence and drinking tea.

After a good breakfast, they met Colfax and Juggins in the courtyard and the second leg of the journey was undertaken. Teddy was a good deal more cheerful, and everyone enjoyed the morning’s scenery, which included the Blackdown Hills, which Miss Pinson seemed particularly taken with.

Emmeline explained to Jeremy that her friend had artistic inclinations, something Miss Pinson blushed and protested about. She grew very flustered at Jeremy’s assertion that he would like to see her sketches someday. Teddy made sure to boast about his own skill with a pencil, and drawing lessons were discussed and settled on, which seemed to please everyone.

They took lunch at Combe Raleigh before pressing on to Exeter, where they were due to change their team of horses. The second night was spent at a coaching inn called The Lucky Hayrick, where once again, Jeremy shared his bedchamber with his son, who complained the mattress was lumpy and kicked and talked a good deal in his sleep.

Jeremy was up in the night, dosing his son with medicine, and he made sure the boy drank his tonic the next morning, disregarding Teddy’s complaints that it tasted nasty. A relapse was the last thing he wanted, especially since Nurse Jopling was no longer with them. He wondered now if he would need to hire another and could not be easy in his mind about it.

The third day was not so leisurely, for their fresh horses meant they could press on to Plymouth, so they set off at a lively pace, making good progress and stopping briefly only for luncheon where they all agreed they would delay their next meal and take a late supper once they had reached their accommodations for the night.

The ladies were very taken with the Devon scenery, but Teddy was quick to inform them that Cornwall was far superior in every way. Jeremy explained the rivalry of the neighboring counties, his son chiming in with supporting evidence, before Teddy’s eyes grew heavy-lidded, and he curled up in the seat and could scarcely be roused to eat his supper before bed.

The fourth and final day of their travels dawned fair and bright, and Jeremy woke with profound relief that they would soon be home. Teddy had slept better but still seemed flushed and a little sluggish. Jeremy felt his brow throughout the day to check he was not feverish.

After three days of being cooped up together in the carriage, everyone’s nerves seemed a little frayed. The ladies appeared jittery, though whether this was with excitement or anxiousness, it was hard to tell. They talked quickly or not at all, and there were several long periods of heavy silence, as they all fell prey to their own thoughts and distractions.

To try to allay the tension, Jeremy spoke at length of what they would find at Vance Park. He described the house, neoclassical in style and built in 1715 to replace the original Tudor seat which burned down during the reign of Edward VI. He explained that the Vance family had lived there since at least 1480, though they had not been raised to the peerage until Queen Anne’s reign.

He described his own addition to the estate, the extensive stables, and his champion racehorses. Teddy joined in here and there, and it was not until he was describing the maze and the formal gardens that he realized Emmeline was looking more intimidated than anticipatory regarding her new home.

“You will want to make changes of course,” he said swiftly. “And put your own stamp on the place. I have invited designers down to discuss the redecoration of your suite. They should start responding soon and you can start your plans.”

If anything, Emmeline’s eyes grew even wider at this. “I see,” she said doubtfully and turned to Miss Pinson as though for support. Miss Pinson, however, was deeply occupied with thoughts of her own. Jeremy suspected she was busy daydreaming about country cottages.

Noticing them both looking at her, she said distractedly, “I always think foxgloves look so charming gathered around a cottage gate.”

“Oh, I quite agree,” he responded politely, and Emmeline narrowed her eyes at him. Night was fast falling by the time they reached St. Ives. “Not long now,” he consoled Teddy, who was once again fretful and complaining. “This is the nearest town to us,” he directed at the ladies. “It has some very fine beaches and several shops.” Emmeline and Miss Pinson pressed their noses to the windows despite the failing light to appreciate what they could see of the scenery. “We are only about an hour away from home now,” he added.

“Home,” Miss Pinson echoed wistfully and gave a little sigh. Emmeline looked rather queasy, though she had not suffered from travel sickness before this point. He wished he could pull her into his lap, but one could hardly settle one’s wife on one’s knee with others present, even if they were only family. Instead, he consoled himself with the thought she would sleep under his own roof tonight.

The place was in complete darkness by the time they swept up the drive. A pity, for the long avenue of trees was particularly impressive, and he was strangely keen that she should admire her new home. As they neared the house, he saw several lighted torches and was pleased to see the household was roused and primed for their arrival.

Clearly the messages Colfax had sent on his behalf to prepare everyone for their return had been received. Still, he was surprised to see the number of staff hurrying down the steps to line up to greet their new mistress. He had not expected quite such a formal greeting.

“It looks as though Garraway has herded everyone out for your inspection,” he said, casting Emmeline a quick apologetic glance. “Garraway is our butler,” he added, seeing her blank look.

“What a lovely welcome,” Emmeline said determinedly, sitting up very straight in her seat and straightening her bonnet. “I hope you will introduce me to everyone.”

“Oh dear.” Miss Pinson faltered, looking down first at her own rather travel-worn gown, and then at Emmeline’s. “We are not looking our best for first impressions. My skirts are quite crushed.”

“They will understand,” Jeremy said, dismissing such concerns gallantly, though, privately he agreed with her. Both ladies’ faces looked tired and wan peering out of their bonnets and their drab traveling ensembles had clearly seen better days.

Springing down from the coach, he turned around to hand down first his bride, and then Miss Pinson. Finding Teddy fast asleep, he glanced around for Colfax and found his footman at his elbow. “Carry Master Teddy inside, would you, Colfax? And take him straight up to his bedroom. I will look in on him presently.”

Colfax nodded and made haste to carry the child inside.

Turning back to Emmeline, Jeremy offered her his arm. “I had thought to usher you in quietly,” he confessed, “but perhaps it would be better to get the formalities out of the way.”

Miss Pinson fell in step behind them, and they moved toward the elderly butler, who puffed out his chest. “My dear, allow me to introduce you to Garraway, who is quite an institution here at Vance.”

11

Emmie woke in the early hours and lay a while, feeling disorientated and ill at ease. These feelings were not unfamiliar after spending the last few days on the road. This time, however, recalling where she was did not allay her anxiety one bit. She shivered slightly in her bedsheets. Vance Park seemed to her an austere and grand place. The task of making it feel like home was already daunting.

Recollections of the night before flitted back through her mind, the house with all its columns and Palladian windows, and those huge stone lions guarding its front steps. Once inside there had been the entrance hall with its marble relief sculptures of heroes and monsters, its gold-painted ceiling all decorated with gods. None of it seemed comforting or remotely welcoming.