He knew now that he had gone too far with his trick on the horse, but there was no taking it back now. He could only hope that her memory was not as keen as his own. He remembered every detail of that day, feeling the guilt of it washing over him every time it crept into his mind. And it had been an ever-present thought over the last few months.
Simon had long since left his boyish infatuation over Ellen in the dust. However, it would be nice if he and his future wife could be on good terms and even learn to love each other as time passed.
“Are you even listening to me, Simon?” His father touched his arm, looking a little worried.
Simon raised his brows in question. “Forgive me, Father. I did not hear you.”
His father exchanged a glance with his mother and motioned that she should go inside. He opened the door for her and pulled Simon to the side.
“What is it, Father?’ Simon asked, watching as his mother went inside alone.
His father sighed. “I know that you have reservations about this whole arrangement, but you are doing the right thing.” His father had to stop, for a wracking cough assailed him. Simon waited, placing a hand on his father’s shoulder.
“Are you well, Father? Perhaps it is not good for you to be out in this chill.”
“I am well,” he said after a moment. He took a deep breath as the coughing spell passed.
“I want to see you settled with a good wife, Simon. The security of the estate depends on you marrying and producing an heir. I would like to live long enough to see my grandchildren born, but none of us are given the certainty of tomorrow. And with my health—” he shook his head, his eyes filling with tears.
“I have not said this often enough, but I am proud of the man you have become, my son.”
Simon nodded, knowing that this was the closest his father would get to saying,‘I love you.’
“Thank you, Father. The estate is my concern now. You need not lose another night of sleep over its welfare.” Simon gently nudged his father in the direction of the door. “Now, enough business. We have a party to attend.”
His father gave a throaty laugh, and they walked inside together. His mother had waited in the foyer, and they quickly took off their hats and coats. His father held his arm out to his mother, and they headed into the drawing room where several other guests had already gathered.
Lady Semple spotted them soon after and approached with a broad smile. “Ahh, Lord and Lady Grant. Lord Simon, we are so glad that you are here. Perhaps there is a matter you can clear up for us, Lord Simon.”
“Oh? Has an argument already arisen?”
“We have just been speaking about the sculptures your grandfather commissioned for the gardens in the 1750s. It was Jacques Lebeaule who was the artist, was he not? Lord Semple swears it was Frederique’ Dulac.”
Simon and his parents walked over to join a small group of guests, and he was pleased to see Everett among them. “It was Lebeaule, my lady. Dulac was commissioned by Lord Danby for the sculptures at his London house.”
Lord Semple snapped his fingers above his head. “Ahh! You were right, my dear.”
“As always,” Lady Semple said with a mischievous smile.
The group shared a laugh, and Simon gave a cursory look around the room. Lady Semple seemed to guess at his thoughts.
“Ellen has not come down yet, but I assure you she will be soon. She was just finishing her preparations when I left her a few minutes ago.” Lady Semple linked her arm through his, and he was happy to oblige her. “She wanted to look her best for you,” she whispered.
Simon’s heart skipped a beat. “Ahh, well, from what I remember, she always looked her best.”
Lady Semple smiled at this and let go of his arm. “Oh, there are Lord and Lady Greenwald. I should go over and welcome them. Please enjoy yourself,” she said and walked away toward the door. Simon nodded and caught Everett’s eye from across the room. He walked over to him and shook his hand.
“I am glad to see a friendly face. Thank you for coming,” he said.
“I would not miss this for anything. I have heard so much about Lady Ellen, I feel I already know her,” he replied, looking about the room. “There are so many handsome women here. Perhaps I will follow your example and find a wife as well.”
“Lady Ellen has two younger sisters, but I am not sure if they are out yet.”
“Well, no matter. I am not in as great a hurry as you are.” Everett winked. Simon looked about the room, trying to keep up his jovial appearance despite his worry. He could confide in his friend later, but for now, he would keep his father’s health issues to himself.
“Yes, well, we shall see if my bride-to-be is as keen to go through with this as our fathers.”
“She would be mad if she was not—” Everett began to say. However, Simon held up a hand as he overheard a woman’s voice saying his name.