"I can see that the mistake would be easy to make. You have no need to apologize to me. I live in the Dower House because it is so much easier to get around in and care for. But occasions like these, however sad they may be, are what country estates are good for unless children are being raised here of course. That is the best use of a country estate. I grew up here and my childhood memories of Duclose are the best I have. Come, let us get you warm, comfortable and fed." She took Katherine's arm and led her up the stairs smiling at her and doing her best to place her at ease. Stephen followed behind them, chatting about the trip up and the children's antics at the coaching inns. Katherine was silent, but not stiff. Ammie was hopeful of a pleasant visit.
"Where is Lady Kenswick?" Edwin asked as he handed hat and greatcoat to Darling, the Barclose House Steward. "I requested that she handle arrangements here." Edwin looked around the great hall that showed the signs of her care. Crepe was discreetly draped showing a house in mourning, but fresh flowers from the forcing houses were arranged around the hall. Every surface shown with care to detail, pleasing to the eye, and designed for comfort. And he would be comforted as soon as he could behold Rosy.
"I believe her Ladyship is at Duclose welcoming the Earl and his family. She will not come here until Ladies Eleanor and Alice arrive. She has had some of her things moved to the China Room and will bring more with her. She has done much in preparation for the guests expected and will be here again this evening." Darling moved to the formal parlor and opened the doors to show the preparation for the laying out. A bier lined with somber dark grey and the family court of arms was surrounded by urns of fall flowers. Large candelabras tall as a man stood at each end of the bier. Seatings for the mourners sat facing the bier. A welcoming fire crackled in the great fireplace. Crepe draped the windows and crepe and flowers adorned the mantle. As usual, Rosy had prepared a respectfully comfortable atmosphere.
"Thank you, Darling,that will all," Edwin dismissed the steward and headed upstairs to change from his traveling clothes. He paused at the door to the China Room and opened it. As the door swung open he saw the unmistakable signs of feminine possession. Brushes and various bottles and jars lined the vanity. He shamelessly unscrewed the jars and sniffed the contents. The faint scent of old roses sent him sliding back thirty years and his return to England from the Americas.
He had completed his diplomatic mission and was taking in a concert with some friends after a grueling week of debriefing on the volatile situation in the colonies. He was laughing with them in the pit when he glanced around the upper tiers and saw a familiar heart-shaped face, with hair piled high, curled and powdered, wearing a bronze silk and blond lace gown showing her lovely figure and high breasts, smiling at the tall and slightly gawky Earl of Kenswick, who kissed her hand as he seated her and moved possessively to the seat by her side. She lifted her opera glasses and circled the top tier occasionally lowering the glasses to nod to an acquaintance.
The orchestra was warming up by the time she reached the floor seats. Just as applause indicated the conductor had come on the stage, her glasses moved to him. He waited unmoving, as the glasses slipped out of her hand and with huge eyes and a face as pale as the powder in her hair she moved over his features.
"Where is Lady Kenswick?" Edwin asked as he handed hat and greatcoat to Darling, the Barclose House Steward. "I requested that she handle arrangements here." Edwin looked around the great hall that showed the signs of her care. Crepe was discreetly draped showing a house in mourning, but fresh flowers from the forcing houses were arranged around the hall. Every surface shown with care to detail, pleasing to the eye, and designed for comfort. And he would be comforted as soon as he could behold Rosy.
"I believe her Ladyship is at Duclose welcoming the Earl and his family. She will not come here until Ladies Eleanor and Alice arrive. She has had some of her things moved to the China Room and will bring more with her. She has done much in preparation for the guests expected and will be here again this evening." Darling moved to the formal parlor and opened the doors to show the preparation for the laying out. A bier lined with somber dark grey and the family court of arms was surrounded by urns of fall flowers. Large candelabras tall as a man stood at each end of the bier. Seatings for the mourners sat facing the bier. A welcoming fire crackled in the great fireplace. Crepe draped the windows and crepe and flowers adorned the mantle. As usual, Rosy had prepared a respectfully comfortable atmosphere.
"Thank you, Darling,that will all," Edwin dismissed the steward and headed upstairs to change from his traveling clothes. He paused at the door to the China Room and opened it. As the door swung open he saw the unmistakable signs of feminine possession. Brushes and various bottles and jars lined the vanity. He shamelessly unscrewed the jars and sniffed the contents. The faint scent of old roses sent him sliding back thirty years and his return to England from the Americas.
He had completed his diplomatic mission and was taking in a concert with some friends after a grueling week of debriefing on the volatile situation in the colonies. He was laughing with them in the pit when he glanced around the upper tiers and saw a familiar heart-shaped face, with hair piled high, curled and powdered, wearing a bronze silk and blond lace gown showing her lovely figure and high breasts, smiling at the tall and slightly gawky Earl of Kenswick, who kissed her hand as he seated her and moved possessively to the seat by her side. She lifted her opera glasses and circled the top tier occasionally lowering the glasses to nod to an acquaintance.
The orchestra was warming up by the time she reached the floor seats. Just as applause indicated the conductor had come on the stage, her glasses moved to him. He waited unmoving, as the glasses slipped out of her hand and with huge eyes and a face as pale as the powder in her hair she moved over his features.
