Page 30 of The Dreaming Beauty
When Sunday came, instead of anticipating seeing the Farris family, all of them were anxious to see Mr. Taylor and to know what had kept him away. During the church service, it was her turn to sit inside with Iris while Aster waited outside with Daisy. Tansy saw the back of Mr. Taylor’s head from his family pew, only to discover a man sitting beside him. Was it a friend? His Grace was not expected for some time. Perhaps Mr. Taylor had received an unexpected visitor, which perfectly explained his absence at Rose Cottage. Somehow, having an excuse made everything feel right again.
A surge of anticipation coursed through Tansy for the service to end and the chance that Mr. Taylor might come and speak to them. That was, until Iris developed a sudden tickle in her throat and they were forced to slip out a few minutes early to begin their long walk home. Their collective disappointment was most acute. No one was in a good mood for the rest of the day, and it carried over to Monday.
Tuesday morning, Aster barged into their little cottage with a basket brimming with bright-red strawberries. “Come, we are all walking to Ashbury Court today.”
“Whatever for?” Tansy put aside the stocking she had been mending.
“To deliver these strawberries, of course. Did you not hear the Bellvues say Mr. Taylor loves strawberry tarts? Doesn’t he need strawberries to make the tarts?”
Iris closed her book with a resounding thud. “I believe your idea has merit. We ought to thank him for dinner, and I’m feeling much too cooped up to sit today. A walk would do me good.”
“Excellent,” Aster said, her smile widening. “Tansy, fix your hair while I fetch Daisy. And wear my white muslin shawl today.”
Tansy frowned and touched her hair. There was nothing wrong with it. She fingered the simple coiffure with limp strands encircling her face and thought again. “But what about his guest? Would we be imposing?”
Aster shook her head. “We do not know if his guest is still in residence, but if he is, Mr. Taylor will gladly extend an introduction.”
Tansy did itch to see him again, even if it was wrong to feel so drawn to him. But she would not fuss with her hair or wear the fancy shawl with the intricate embroidery. It was just a neighborly visit to a friend and nothing more. She made her way into their small vestibule, plucked her bonnet off the hook, and tied it to her head.
Roughly a half hour later, she and her aunts stood on the steps of Ashbury Court.
Iris leaned sideways to stare through the window closest to the door.
“Iris, please.” Aster straightened her skirt.
“I didn’t get a proper look last time with the butler staring down on us.” Iris leaned over to examine her view again. “We have every right to look all we want.”
“Every right?” Aster huffed. “We lost that right a long time ago.”
Tansy’s forehead creased. She was about to ask what they meant when the door opened.
Aster stepped forward. “Is Mr. Taylor at home?”
“He is indeed. Might I show you into the drawing room?”
Aster nodded, answering for all of them. The butler led them into the large hall and to the left toward the drawing room to wait for their host. The daylight enhanced the beauty in the room, and the cut glass hanging from the chandelier sent dazzling sparkles everywhere. Daisy went straight to the rocks, while the rest of them sat perched on the edges of their seats. Tansy’s gaze traveled to the mantel where Mr. Taylor had stood and then to the empty spot on the sofa where they had sat far too near each other. Had he had any disturbing dreams since they last parted? Was his guest still here with him? She fingered the tips of her gloves while a small thread of anxiety formed stitches in her middle.
When Mr. Taylor filled the doorway, wearing his blue coat and chamois breeches, Tansy was proud that her body did not respond further. She and her aunts stood together, Daisy joining them a few seconds later. Mr. Taylor stepped into the room, and another gentleman came in with him. Mr. Taylor’s friend was long, thin, and dark-featured from his eyes to his thick brow to his hair. Even his mouth seemed deeper in color, but perhaps that was simply in contrast to his pallor.
Mr. Taylor’s smile spread across his face, and Tansy exhaled with relief. He was not displeased by their visit. Thank the heavens.
“How good of you to visit,” he said. “Your timing could not be better. My brother has returned early from the States.”
Tansy’s mouth parted in surprise. They were in the presence of a duke!
“Your Grace, meet my friends from Rose Cottage.” Mr. Taylor indicated Aster and went down the line. “This is Mrs. Wood, Mrs. Palmer, Miss Daisy White, and Miss Tansy White.”
Tansy dipped into a curtsy, her eyes lowered, and stood straight again.
Aster stepped forward with her basket of berries.
Drat those berries! They were hardly a proper gift for a duke.
Aster did not show even a hint of embarrassment. “We brought you some strawberries since we know you like strawberry tarts.”
Tansy risked a glance at the men. Mr. Taylor was all smiles. He was too good to be true. How he humored them time and time again.
“I am touched you thought of me.” He turned to his brother. “Did I not tell you our new neighbors are delightful?”
