She would reply right away, of course. She would tell Ella of their plans for boating and a picnic, and say how very sorry she was that she could not immediately extend an invitation to Ella and her brothers. But if Caroline found out that the boat could accommodate all of them, and the Townsends were available, she could send an invitation in the morning. She ended it with a request for a reply as soon as possible. If no reply was forthcoming, then perhaps Ella and Caroline could schedule a visit for the following day.

  Note completed, she found Wooton and asked him to have it delivered immediately. Once that was done, Caroline went out into the garden.

  The past few days had been a whirlwind and she needed to sit and think about everything that had happened. And the many things that still needed to.

  After lunch Mrs. Anson had some free time, so to keep out of her husband’s way, Caroline accompanied her to investigate some of the nearby shops.

  Mrs. Anson bought a new shawl at one shop and spent a good deal of time discussing a new dress at another. The shopkeeper showed them the latest styles in sleeves and lace, which made Mrs. Anson wonder if she was too old for such new styles.

  “I’m just not sure it would be appropriate for the wife of an Administrator,” she said to Caroline as they left the shop. “I feel like I should wait and see what the other wives are wearing first, but if Mr. Anson does get the position, I won’t meet any of them until the reception, which is when I would want to be wearing a new gown.” She sighed. “I suppose I must resign myself to waiting: Mr. Anson would not be happy if I wore an inappropriate gown to his reception.”

  “You have two very fine gowns,” Caroline replied. “And the new shawl is elegant in an understated way.”

  “Yes,” Mrs. Anson said. “You have identified it completely. Understated elegance, that is what I must strive for. Thank you, Caroline, you always make such good observations. Oh, look. There is Mrs. Smith. Mrs. Smith,” she called out.

  Up ahead, Mrs. Smith paused and turned around.

  “Mrs. Anson, Caroline, how lovely,” Mrs. Smith said, joining them. “What a grand scheme you have planned for tomorrow. A river cruise on a Builder-enhanced boat. Let’s hope it is as nice a day tomorrow as it is today.”

  “Let’s hope,” Mrs. Anson replied. “We anticipate increasing our party to include Harry, Ella, and Cedric Townsend if the boat is large enough. I do hope that will suit you?”

  “The more the merrier,” Mrs. Smith said. “Have you been to the shops?”

  “We have,” Mrs. Anson said. She launched into a description of her shopping trip.

  Caroline wandered over to a nearby shop window and stared at the hats on display. Her attention was caught by someone waving at her from inside.

  “Ella!” Caroline exclaimed. Mrs. Anson was still talking to Mrs. Smith so Caroline entered the store.

  “I received your message,” Ella said. “I have not had a chance to speak to my brother Cedric.” She rolled her eyes. “He is out with your friend Iona Smith. But Harry and I are available tomorrow if there is room.”

  “Wonderful.” At least it was wonderful that Ella and Harry were available. Jack would not think it wonderful that Iona was with Cedric. “I won’t know if we can all be accommodated until Jack gets back from making the arrangements. I am terribly sorry that I can’t extend the invitation immediately. I know it’s very bad manners.”

  “Last-minute plans are like that,” Ella said. “And it means I don’t know what my day will hold tomorrow, so right now it is full of possibilities.” She linked her arm through Caroline’s. “Come, I should greet Mrs. Anson. Is that Mrs. Smith with her as well?”

  “It is,” Caroline replied. “We just now met her after wandering into a few shops. But are you finished your shopping?”

  “I was browsing only,” Ella said. “Harry was meeting with a friend and I was at loose ends. But now that you are here, perhaps we can have tea?”

  “I’m sure Mrs. Anson would agree to that.”

  Mrs. Anson did agree to tea, as did Mrs. Smith.

  Talk centred around plans for the next day, with neither Ella nor Mrs. Smith commenting on Cedric and Iona’s current get-together.

  Mrs. Smith begged off first, saying that she had to confer with her housekeeper about the evening meal.

  Mrs. Anson and Caroline walked Ella across the bridge and home to a fine estate. With a promise to send a formal invitation as soon as she could, Caroline said goodbye to her friend.

  “Ella Townsend is a very charming young lady,” Mrs. Anson said as they turned for home. “Not once did she make any of us feel embarrassed for not being able to commit to their invitation. I appreciate that very much. It could have been awkward. I do hope the boat is big enough for all of us. I will be terribly disappointed if we can’t invite them, especially after she was so understanding.”

  “I hope we can invite them as well,” Caroline said, although she was worried for her brother. What would Jack do if Iona ignored him and focused all of her attention on Cedric?

  Happily, the boat Jack hired was large enough for the bigger party.

  “Caroline,” Mrs. Anson said. “You must send a message to the Townsends immediately. Wooton,” she called. “Wooton. We have a message that must delivered right away. Caroline, is your note done?”

  “I need a minute,” Caroline said. She’d assumed that the morning would be soon enough, but perhaps she should have anticipated this and prepared a note. Although she would have had to prepare two notes: one with an invitation and one sending regrets.

  Since she didn’t want to cause Mrs. Anson any grief with a delay, her note was brief. As it was, Wooton was waiting in the hall while she signed and folded it.

  As soon as she handed it to him, she worried that the note was too short; that it was too abrupt. The door closed as Wooton left the house and it was too late to change anything. If Ella was somehow offended, Caroline would have to make it up to her tomorrow.

  “Lovely,” Mrs. Anson said. “I am really starting to enjoy entertaining.”

  Ella’s reply came just as they were sitting down to dinner.

  “What does she say?” Mrs. Anson asked. “If it’s not too personal, could you read it out loud?”

  “Dear Caroline,” she read. “It is with great pleasure that I accept Mrs. Anson’s invitation on behalf of myself and my brothers Cedric and Harry. We will meet you at the dock at the appointed time. Warmest regards, Ella Townsend.”

  “They’re all coming,” Mrs. Anson said. “How lovely.”

  For the rest of the meal, Mrs. Anson went over every detail of the outing. She had Jack describe the boat—her brother only sounded excited when he was explaining the Builder-enhanced features—before she launched into a description of her discussions with Mrs. Wooton about the choices and preparation for the picnic lunch.

  Mr. Anson commented that he was very glad that the Townsends could make it, and that he would appreciate having a quiet house for the whole day. His meeting with the Administration was set for the following day and he would spend the day studying.

  Jack seemed out of sorts, so once they were finished eating, Caroline followed him to the parlour.

  “Are you excited about tomorrow?” she asked. “It’s your first time on a Builder-enhanced boat, isn’t it?”

  “That part will be fine,” Jack said as he flopped into a chair. “But I don’t like that Cedric Townsend was invited. And worse, that he’s accepted.”

  Caroline sat down beside her brother. “Ella said that Cedric and Iona met today,” she said gently. “Perhaps you should just ignore them tomorrow.”

  “I don’t want to ignore her,” Jack said. “I want him to leave her alone.”

  “Who she spends her time with is her choice,” Caroline said.

  “She’d spend time with me if we promised to team up for the Endeavour.”

  “No!” Caroline couldn’t help her response.

  Jack glared at her. “Why not? We need to create a team soon, so why not pair up with Sean and Iona?”

  “I don’t trust Sean,” Caroline replied. “I can’t put my finger on exactly why, which is why I’ve been asking you to spend more time with him. And Iona is proving to be such a fickle creature that I’m not sure I trust her either. You know how dangerous the Endeavour can be. I will not compete with people I don’t trust.” She’d been so sure that she and Iona had developed a great friendship that would last their whole lives, and here she was declaring to her brother that she didn’t trust her. She was sad and angry that the early promise of a lifelong friend now seemed nothing but an illusion. Or worse, that she might have been taken advantage of.

  “Then perhaps I’ll work with Sean and Iona and you can find your own team.”

  “You would do that?” Caroline sat back in her chair and studied her brother’s face. He was angry and hurt, but would he compete in the Endeavour without her? “I would rather not compete than compete with people I don’t trust,” she said finally. “Although that would break Father’s heart.”

  “Then it’s settled,” Jack said. “I will team up with Sean and Iona and you can do whatever you want.” Jack got to his feet. “I’ll arrange it with them tomorrow. You’ll see, it will work out great for me.” He stomped out of the room, leaving Caroline sitting there, shocked and sad.

  She blew out a deep breath. She knew she wouldn’t change her mind: she really would rather not compete than compete with people she didn’t trust. She could only hope that Sean and Iona Smith didn’t put her brother at risk.

  She went up to her room, her previous excitement at tomorrow’s outing dimmed.

  Caroline woke up feeling like a huge weight had been lifted from her. Rather than being sad and distressed about her conversation with Jack and the decisions they had each made, she was relieved.

  There was no more worry about trying to convince her brother that her reservations about the Smiths were justified; no stress about teaming up with people she didn’t trust.

  And even better, she decided that there was absolutely no reason for her to be more than polite to Iona and Sean, which left her free to spend her time with Ella and Harry, both of whom she admired greatly.

  Jack sulked all during breakfast and didn’t perk up until they arrived at the dock and the Builder-enhanced boat.

  The Townsends were already there, and Mrs. Anson greeted them cheerfully, as did Caroline. Jack was already speaking to the boat’s pilot, and Cedric wandered over to listen in but came back as soon as the Smiths arrived.

  As Caroline had expected, Iona immediately attached herself to Cedric.

  “It’s a very fine day,” Ella said.

  “Yes,” Caroline said. “I am so glad you were able to make it on such short notice. And I apologize if my invitation was abrupt. Mrs. Anson was very keen that I write it right away and I fear I was not very gracious.”

  Ella smiled. “Your note was fine. It was very good to get it all sorted out last night.” She leaned in closer. “Cedric wasn’t sure he wanted to join us until I assured him that Iona Smith would be here.”

  “They do seem quite taken with each other. Oh look, we’re being asked to board.”

  Once aboard the boat, Ella, Harry, and Caroline wandered to the side that looked out over the river while Iona and Cedric found a spot in the prow. Mrs. Anson and Mrs. Smith parked themselves on a bench near the stern, and Jack and Sean hovered near the open door to the pilot’s cabin.

  “There is another concert,” Caroline said. “Mr. Anson bought tickets to two with different dates, in case you and your father weren’t available for one. It’s tomorrow night. Would you like to attend?” If she wasn’t going to compete in the Endeavour, Caroline was determined to enjoy every single event she could while she was in Norbarrow. “I’m not proposing dinner. We could meet at the concert hall before the start.”

  “I would love to,” Ella said. “And a simple night out would be agreeable. Harry?”

  “You can count me in,” Harry said. “Who else? Should we invite Cedric?”

  “Yes,” Caroline said. “I will speak to Mrs. Anson. I’m sure the Smiths will all be invited.” She smiled at Ella. “Cedric will no doubt agree to come when he hears that.”

  “I’m sure he will,” Ella replied, shaking her head. “He seems quite besotted.” She turned to her brother. “Can you tell me what he sees in her?”

  “Please do,” Caroline said. “Jack is quite jealous so I would like to know what charms a man sees in her.”

  “She’s very pretty,” Harry said. “And she gives those she talks to her complete attention. Some people like that kind of devotion.”

  “I see,” Caroline said. And she did. Iona’s full attention had been directed at her, early on, and she, too, had been besotted. “Iona can be very charming.”

  “Yes,” Harry said. “She is a pretty, charming young woman who takes an interest in you to the exclusion of everyone else.”

  “Even ignoring those she previously took an exclusive interest in. What is she looking for, do you think?” She couldn’t imagine always needing to fawn over someone new.

  “That is a very good question,” Harry said. “What is Iona Smith looking for?”

  When they were truly on their way, Caroline went in search of Mrs. Anson, who was sitting alone on the bench while Mrs. Smith took in the sights behind them from the back of the boat.

  “I asked Ella and Harry about going to the concert tomorrow night,” she said to her host. “I suggested we keep it simple and meet at the concert hall. I hope you don’t mind that I didn’t discuss it with you first.” She paused. “But I know we have that other set of tickets and I do so want to go.”

  “I forgot about the tickets,” Mrs. Anson said. “I think it’s a splendid idea. I will ask everyone who went to the last concert. And since his meeting will be over, I dare say Mr. Anson will want to attend too. And don’t fret about not discussing it with me first. If you hadn’t brought it up, we might have missed a chance to get a party together. Oh, Mrs. Smith, Caroline has had the most brilliant idea.” Mrs. Anson joined Mrs. Smith while Caroline returned to Ella and Harry.

  “Mrs. Anson will do the rest as far as the concert is concerned,” Caroline said, and Harry laughed.

  “You do rather well with her, don’t you?” he asked.

  “I like her,” Caroline said. “She is very inquisitive and likes to try new things.” She sent him a sidelong glance. “My sister Becca thinks she talks too much, but you’ve met Mr. Anson. If Mrs. Anson didn’t say anything there would hardly be a word spoken between them for days.”

  “Being inquisitive and liking to try new things are admirable qualities,” Harry replied.

  “You sound just like Father,” Ella said.

  “What an insult,” Harry said, but he grinned. “I suppose that is something he would say. It doesn’t mean it’s wrong.”

  “That is one of the most infuriating things about our father,” Ella said to Caroline. “He’s usually right, even when you hate that he is.”

  For the next hour they talked about what they saw on the shore, or the boats they passed, or the people fishing along the banks of the river.

  Up ahead an island came into view. A dock on it jutted out into the river and the boat turned towards it.

  “We are landing for our picnic,” Mrs. Anson called out. “Jack, come and help carry our picnic ashore.”

  Caroline and Ella wandered around the small park area while the young men, following Mrs. Anson’s directions, set up the tables and chairs for the picnic.

  “Have you and your brother found teammates for the Endeavour yet?” Ella asked. “I don’t mean to pry so you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

  “It’s not a secret that we need to form a team,” Caroline said. “Jack wants us to pair up with Iona and Sean.” She sighed. “Mostly because of Iona. He thinks if we are teammates, she will pay attention to him again, instead of Cedric.”

  “That would solve your team problem,” Ella replied.

  “And create new ones. I don’t trust either of them and I told Jack that.” She shrugged. “I would rather not compete than compete with people I don’t trust. Jack is furious with me.”

  “He doesn’t show it,” Ella said.

  “That’s because he’s obsessed with Iona Smith. Once he discovers what she’s really like—assuming he ever does—he will be angry at her instead of me. But I fear that by then it will too late for us to assemble a team.” She linked arms with Ella. “So, since I will likely not compete in the Endeavour, I plan to enjoy every event, small or large, that I can.”

  “That would be a shame,” Ella said. “If you don’t compete.”

  “My mother didn’t get to compete,” Caroline said. “Not everyone does. At least this way I won’t be giving up my artifact and I can keep it for the future.” She grinned. “Or maybe Jack will figure out that my artifact is useful after all and missing the Endeavour won’t matter. That is the point of competing, after all.”

  “It is,” Ella agreed. “It’s good to remember that. Look. Your Mrs. Anson is waving at us. I think the picnic is ready.”

  Not even Sean’s presence at her side could spoil Caroline’s pleasure. She’d been on picnics before, of course, but never one on an island.

  “They’ve never built a bridge to it?” she asked Sean, who seemed to know a lot about the small island—Stub Island, he’d called it—where they’d landed.

  “There’s not much point,” Sean replied. “There’s nothing here, not even enough land to graze a few sheep and that would not pay for a bridge.”

  “Now I’m worried that we’re trespassing,” Caroline said. “Who owns it?”

  “The boating company. Jack said that’s why he chose to hire this company, which luckily meant a larger boat that could accommodate us all.”

  “That was lucky.” Caroline did like that Mrs. Anson had Mrs. Smith as a companion, and Sean seemed to be on his best behaviour. But she didn’t think Iona had spoken to anyone other than Cedric Townsend since boarding the boat. She could have at least engaged with Mrs. Anson, who was the hostess.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23