Page 100 of Miss Prim and the Duke of Wylde
They spent the next twenty minutes discussing possibilities and options, including what interests he might personally pursue and how best to respond to the group’s overture, leaving Drago reassured and relieved by the evidence freely offered that Meg considered herself his partner in the political arena, too.
* * *
As their firststep in controlling their entrance into local society, on Saturday morning, Meg strolled on Drago’s arm into the busy marketplace located next to the Milk House Inn in the village now known as Sissinghurst.
She’d seen the new signs as they’d driven in along the lane. “I remember this village being called Milkhouse. That was its name, wasn’t it?”
Drago nodded. “They officially changed the name only recently.”
“I knew they’d started to call it Sissinghurst instead, but why?”
“The old name has a strong association with the Hawkhurst Gang and evokes too many bad memories for people around here.”
“Ah. I see.” She surveyed the three rows of stalls ahead of them. “Where should we start?”
“Given we’re here to see and be seen rather than buy anything, I doubt it matters.”
She opted for a methodical approach, moving down the row on the left first.
They weren’t even halfway down the row before they were bailed up by the local squire. A bluff, genial man clearly well acquainted with Drago, the squire was all delight when Drago introduced him to Meg.
Meg smiled and chatted easily, then after directing a questioning look at Drago and receiving an infinitesimal nod in response, she invited the squire and his lady to call on them the following afternoon.
The squire professed himself beyond delighted. “And the dear wife will beaux anges, have no doubt!”
“Lovely. Shall we say at about three o’clock? I hope to have several others join us, and if the weather holds fine, we’ll have tea on the lawn.”
The squire assured them he and his wife would be there.
They parted from the beaming man and proceeded down the row of stalls, but from that moment on, Meg barely had a chance to examine any of the goods for sale as, for all the local gentry attending, she and Drago became the primary feature of the market. A succession of locals sought them out to greet Drago and be introduced to his new bride.
Meg bore the avid attention with ease; county people were never as pushy as those in town. Indeed, she found herself enjoying several informative exchanges with various ladies, some of her age, others much older.
At one point, when she and Drago walked on, she murmured, “There are several real characters among the local circles.”
“Indeed. So how many have we invited for tomorrow thus far?”
“Six couples. A few more won’t hurt if we meet any others you think we should invite.”
They continued along the rows of stalls, meeting, chatting, sometimes inviting, then moving on.
“Although in some ways similar, this is nowhere near as demanding as a ton soirée.” Smiling, Meg glanced at Drago. “Incidentally, I meant to ask. Where does the family normally attend church?”
“If I’m at the Court, I usually appear at the estate chapel. We’ve so many workers, there’s always a small congregation there, and the local minister and the curate take the service turn and turn about.”
“Hmm. That should be where we go tomorrow morning, but I suspect we should consider attending elsewhere on other Sundays so that we become better known through the district.”
“Where do you suggest?”
Meg questioned him as to the other local churches, and they discussed the pros and cons, finally deciding to venture to St. George’s Church at Benenden on the following Sunday. “Many of the congregation there know me, and I would like to reconnect with the Bigfield House people as well as Christopher and Ellen and others from the manor.”
Drago nodded. “Given you already have those links, you should keep them alive.”
Meg looked ahead, then grasped Drago’s sleeve. “Look! There’s Alison and Joshua.”
Drago caught her hand and wound her arm with his, and they went forward to meet the other couple.
Everyone was all smiles and happy greetings, yet Meg sensed that all was still not well with Alison and Joshua. She fixed them both with a direct look. “Don’t tell me Hubert is still being difficult.”
