Snowflakes and Scandals

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

My dearest Margaret,

Lord Septimus has arrived! We dined with him and Lord and Lady Hawksworth earlier. I sincerely hope you can meet us at our house north of Grantham as soon as possible. We will arrive the day after tomorrow. For reasons I cannot explain now, this must be kept a secret. It appears as if the Duke of Somerset will attempt to interfere somehow. I am very excited for you to meet him. Lord Septimus, not the duke. In fact, you do not want to make his acquaintance at all. Lord Septimus is tall, blonde and blue-eyed with nice broad shoulders. He is also extremely nice. And he does not have a mistress. I asked.

Yr. friend forever,

AM

Good Lord! Margaret was glad she had sat before reading the letter. She knew this was coming. Yet, she did think she would have a bit more time to prepare. Thankfully, she had no engagements for the next week that she could not put off. She had time to reschedule the others if necessary. It was so close to Christmas. She gave herself a shake. She would make it all work. If she could only tell one person who would remain here, it would have to be Whittle. Neither he nor his wife would reveal her whereabouts to a soul. The only question was whether Papa shout accompany her. He’d been doing much better over the past months. So much better that she had convinced herself that he had made himself ill worrying about her future. Still, this was the first time she would meet Lord Septimus, It was much better to leave him here. He could easily make the journey if it was necessary for him to come to the manor house.

Margaret stepped over to the bell-pull and tugged it. In just a moment their butler entered and bowed. “Miss?”

“I have been invited to visit a friend on the other side of Grantham. I will give you the direction, but you are not to tell anyone where I have gone. Is that clear?”

He hesitated for less than a second. “Yes, miss.”

“Not even my father. I do not want him to worry.”

“Indeed, miss.”

“I shall depart tomorrow. I expect I will be gone for at least a week. Mrs. Whittle will have to take over the Christmas preparations.” Margaret gave him a small smile. “I will tell everyone if I am successful in my mission.”

His countenance cleared. “May I ask?—”

“No. Not yet.” Margaret shook her head. “Wish me luck.”

“Mrs. Whittle and I will pray for a good outcome.”

“Thank you. Now, I must arrange the packing. Have the coach ready at eight o’clock in the morning.” Margaret did not think her friend would mind if she arrived early. Yet was she early? She would dearly like to know why all the secrecy, but knowing Amanda, she had an excellent reason.

Her butler bowed and began to turn toward the door before stopping. “Would it be acceptable that we tell your father that you are visiting Lady Sperry?”

She was Margaret’s maternal aunt. The one who had offered to sponsor her. “Yes. In fact, that is an excellent idea. My father is not in communication with her.” And it was in the other direction. That caused her to realize that she did not know how the letter had been received. “Whittle, how did this missive arrive?”

“By private messenger, miss. He said that he left London early yesterday.”

That meant that probably meant that Amanda would arrive tomorrow. “Excellent. That is all.”

Margaret made her way to her apartments. Shortly before the autumn Season, Amanda had insisted that Margaret send her measurements for new gowns. She had resisted. After all, she had never cared if her gowns were a year or two out of style, but she finally gave in when her friend pressed upon her that she should want to look her best to meet Lord Septimus. Amanda was correct. It would be nice to have some gowns in the newest fashions. And she had always had excellent taste. Margaret reached her bedchamber and plopped down on the bed. After all these months, she was finally going to meet the gentleman who could be her future husband. He would be used to more sophisticated ladies than she. What would he think of her? That brought her back to the unknown reason for all the secrecy. It was all very strange. Still, she trusted her friend. If anything untoward was going on, Amanda would have either told Margaret or refused to be involved. She wished she knew more about his appearance. She did like light hair and blue eyes. It was a contrast to her dark hair and muddy green eyes. She blew out a breath. There was no point in over thinking this. If nothing else, it would be an adventure. And a short trip away would do her good.

Clark, Margaret’s lady’s maid, bustled into the room followed by two footmen carrying trunks. “Set them right here.” She pointed to the dressing room. Once they had left, she glanced at Margaret. “What are we packing?”

She took a breath. “All my new clothing and a few of my old gowns for walking.”

Clark could barely contain a smile. “I am very glad this is coming to pass.”

“You are not to tell anyone.” Margaret fought her grin. “As far as anyone knows I am going to visit my aunt Sperry.”

“Yes, miss.” She made a gesture of locking her lips and throwing away the key. “I will have everything ready this evening.”

“Very good. I will see you later. If you need me, I will be in the library selecting a few books.” Amanda probably had all the latest novels, but it did not hurt to have one’s own copies.

The next day, Margaret and her servants left for what was certain to be the most momentous journey of her life thus far. She glanced out the window at the passing hedge rows as they evolved into baren fields and small towns and villages. Not having had the need to post horses, her coachman nursed the team as other vehicles passed them. Still, she walked faster than her coach was traveling. They would stop at the Angel in Grantham for luncheon. Two large fast moving traveling coaches passed hers as she entered Grantham. When she arrived at the Angel both carriages were in the yard.

“Margaret!”

She whirled around to see Amanda descending from one of the coaches. Striding forward with her hands out, Margaret reached her friend. “Are you having luncheon here?”

Amanda frowned and shook her head. “They do not have a parlor for us. I was waiting for the gentleman to finish their ale.”

Margaret embraced her friend. “I have a parlor. Or I should have one. You may dine with me.”

“Excellent!” Amanda hugged her in return. Then linked arms with Margaret. “I shall send a message to them.” As they entered the arched stone doorway, she dropped her voice. “Lord Septimus is with us.”

Her heart began to thud in her chest making her breathless, as Margaret attempted to calm herself. Half of her wanted to run away. The other half was eager to finally meet the gentleman. “Oh, my.” She was very glad she had worn a new carriage gown. Margaret shook out her skirts. “How do I look?”

Her friend smiled. “Beautiful as always.”

“Excuse me ladies,” the landlord said. “What may I do for you?”

“I am Miss Sutton. You should have received a message yesterday arranging for a private parlor.”

“Yes, indeed, Miss Sutton.” The man bowed. “If you will follow me.” He led them to a room a short way down a corridor and opened the door.

“Thank you. I have discovered that my friend”—she indicated Amanda—“her husband are here as well.”

“And Lord and Lady Hawksworth as well as his brother,” Amanda interjected.

“Yes. Please ask the gentlemen and lady to join us.”

“As you wish, miss.”

Once he’d left, Margaret glanced at Amanda. “Where is Lady Hawksworth?”

“Refreshing herself.” Amanda’s eyes twinkled. “You will like her prodigiously. Her name is Margaret as well, but she goes by Meg.”

A knock came on the door and a lady of middling height and chestnut hair entered the room. She stopped and gazed at Margaret. “You must be Miss Sutton. Amanda described you perfectly. I am Lady Hawksworth, but please call me Meg.” She came forward and held out her hand. “You are every bit as lovely as I was told. Not that that matters a whit. Character is much more important as I have reason to know.”

“And I am Margaret, not Meg.” She was going to like Lady Hawksworth whether or not she married her brother-in-law or not.

Another knock came on the door and three gentlemen entered. They were all tall with broad shoulders, the two of them had blonde hair and one was dark. Due to Amanda’s exuberant description of him when they were courting, Margaret knew the golden-haired gentleman was Lord Maryville. The gentlemen with the dark hair must be Lord Hawksworth. That left the gentleman with thick, almost white-blond hair and ice blue eyes as Lord Septimus. She did not think she had ever seen a more handsome man in her entire life.

He strode straight to her and bowed. “Miss Sutton. I cannot tell you how very pleased I am to finally meet you. After listening to Amanda, I feel as I already know you.”

Margaret was so struck, she almost forgot to curtsey. “Lord Septimus, I wish I could say the same. However, no one has deigned to tell me anything at all about you other than that you work for the Home Office and are recently returned from Canada.”

He grinned. “That will not be at all difficult to remedy.”

“He has also, apparently, forgotten his manners,” Meg muttered. “Margaret, would you like me to present my brother-by-marriage to you?”

“Ah, yes.” Lord Septimus had the grace to blush. He was charming. “Please excuse me.”

Margaret could not stop her laughter. “I think I can live without a formal introduction.”

Another knock came on the door.

“Come,” all of them said at the same time then burst into surprised laughter.

The landlord entered followed by serving maids and men carrying large platters of roasted lamb, vegetables, and soup as well as wine. Another maid followed carrying a tray holding plates and pieces of apple pie.

Once the table was arranged, he bowed. “Please ring if you require anything else.” He placed a metal bell on the table.

“Thank you. I shall.” She took a seat as Lord Septimus held the chair then sat in the chair next to hers.

Septimus had almost been struck dumb. How could such a beautiful lady not have had a come out. Then again, it was his luck she had not. She would have been married her first Season if she desired. She was tall enough that the top of her head came to just above his shoulders, and statuesque. The goddess Juno came to mind. What intrigued him most was her eyes. They were the loveliest shade of green. Not bright like a leaf, but deeper with brown flecks. Her hair was dark brown. Not like Meg’s chestnut color, but the color and sheen of the beaver pelts he’d seen in Canada. He itched to touch it to see if it was as thick and soft as it appeared.

Someone coughed and he realized he’d been staring at her. “Would you like some carrots?”

Her eyes twinkled with laughter. “I have some. You should try them.”

He was an idiot. “Thank you. I will.”

Hawksworth took a healthy slice of lamb before passing it to Septimus. “Lamb?”

“Yes, please.” She gracefully placed a piece of meat on her plate.

He helped himself and the rest of the food was passed around the table.

She ate a bite of lamb and swallowed. “Tell me about yourself.”

“As you might know, I work, or should say, worked for the Home Office.” She raised a brow causing him to explain. “It had nothing to do with us. If there is to be an us.” God, he hoped there was. “I had made my decision while I was in Canada. I cannot support the current government. I have more than enough wealth to do what I wish to do and to support a family in sufficiently comfortable circumstances. I simply need to decide what I want to do next.”

Margaret, he would not address her as Miss Sutton to himself. Nodded thoughtfully. “Since you know all about me, I assume you have been told that I am my father’s heir, and my eldest child will inherit the estate after me.”

“Yes. I have been instructed about your situation. I have no issues at all with the circumstances. As a matter of fact, I have come to believe that the system of primogeniture that we have is unfair to women. It is my opinion that the first born, no matter if they are a boy or girl, should inherit the title and lands.”

Her eyes suddenly widened. “That is surprising. Have you considered running for Parliament?”

“It is not something I have ruled out.” Although, he really had not given it much thought. “I suppose it would depend upon my marital status. For an MP to advance, he must marry a lady who would support his career.”

“Ah. That I had not realized.” She bit her lip, no doubt thinking how that would work with having an estate to run.

Septimus remembered something his brother Hawksworth had said. “It is possible, of course, to support causes and engage in charitable activities.” He finished his meat. “Are you involved in charities?”

She tilted her head. “I have not been. Not really. My father has been ill, and I had to take up the reins of Sutton Hall. Other than helping people locally, I have not seen many charitable endeavors. It is, I think, one of the things I have missed living so removed from others.”

“Yes. I understand how that can occur.” He took a sip of wine. “I understand you like to ride.”

“I do.” Her lips tilted up. “It is one of my joys. Perhaps we can plan to ride in the morning.”

He liked how she had suggested riding together. “An excellent idea.”

While they talked, they had consumed the apple pie, and cups of tea.

Amanda placed her napkin on the table. “If everyone is about ready. We should be on our way.” She turned toward Margaret. “If you do not mind, I would like to ride with you.”

“I as well,” Meg said. “It will be fun to get to know you better.”

“That would be lovely.” The way Margaret’s face shone with happiness caused him to think that she did not spend much time with close friends. And she had no brothers and sisters. Septimus couldn’t imagine life without a large family.

He would have liked to ride in her carriage as well, but he couldn’t travel with her alone, and he’d be in the way with his sister-in-law and her friend. Standing he pulled out her chair. She was cautious with him, and he couldn’t blame her. This, in many ways, was quite awkward. But not as much as it could have been. He hoped his brother would have some courting suggestions. After all, Meg had been very resistant to Hawksworth when they’d first met.

Septimus offered his arm to Margaret, and she took it. He had already decided she was the perfect lady for him.