so quiet, no one caught his words. But Darcy had no doubt it was an expletive. River Run had not been lived in since she left it. The last time she ventured near it, thistles and pokeweed smothered what had once been a green lawn.
“We had no idea, Mr. Breese, you were related to that particular family,” said Mrs. Rhendon.
Mr. Breese made no effort to explain, but simply said, “My half-brother, ma’am, was Hayward Morgan, a true patriot of our cause.”
Mrs. Rhendon snapped her fan shut and turned to Darcy. “Your mother was a beauty, Darcy.”
“You knew her, ma’am?”
“Yes. When your father returned here with her, they attended a similar affair here at Twin Oaks. I recall her gown was deep amber, which set her apart from all the other ladies. But I dare say you take after your father’s good looks.” There was a faint ring of sarcasm in her voice, but her eyes, so well trained, did not show it.
Darcy extended a polite smile. “Thank you for your kind words, ma’am.”
Mrs. Breese squeezed Darcy’s hand. “Is your son well, now that he is home?”
Darcy breathed a sigh of relief that her aunt was astute enough to change the subject. For a moment, she dwelt on why the Rhendons seemed repelled by her last name.
Mrs. Rhendon replied. “He is well, thank you. You’ll meet him shortly.”
“We have met him already,” Darcy said.
“Where? When?”
“It was long ago. We were down at the river one Sunday, and he …”
Mrs. Rhendon stiffened. Darcy realized she did not wish to hear anymore about her son’s treks to the river—or hers. Her aunt touched her sleeve, a sign for her to rein in. “The English ladies and their gentleman companion must find Twin Oaks a rival to what they are used to back home, Mrs. Rhendon,” said Mrs. Breese. “I do not doubt they envy it.”
Mrs. Rhendon fluttered her fan near her chin. “No doubt they do.”
Mrs. Breese’s eyes blinked. “Are the ladies beautiful? I was unable to see them clearly from a distance. My eyesight is poor.”
Darcy drew in a slow breath and looked away. It was embarrassing to have her aunt dig for information, and she hoped Mrs. Rhendon would answer her in such a way that her mind would be satisfied. Their hostess craned her neck to look out among her guests. “Miss Byrd is a lovely girl with pretty eyes. But Miss Roth rivals her in beauty. I do believe she is Mr. Brennan’s intended, although he did not introduce her in that way. One would assume there is an understanding between them since she never leaves his side.”
“I imagine Mr. Brennan is a fine gentleman,” Mrs. Breese was so bold to say.
“He is, Mrs. Breese. You must excuse me. I have other guests.” And Mrs. Rhendon stepped away with a sweep of her gown.
Moving to the lawn, the girls sat under the shade of an enormous oak. Darcy looked out across the green that stretched to the top of a hill. Her romantic nature carried her away to it, and she wondered what beauty lay beyond.
She stood and put her hand over her eyes. “I wish to walk the grounds. The ride over stiffened my legs.”
“You’re always walking about, Darcy.” Lizzy sighed. “Can’t you sit still for five minutes?”
Darcy smiled down at her cousin. “No, not when there is such beauty to see.”
She stepped away, with her gown clinging to her limbs because of the breeze. With a graceful, yet eager stride, she strolled up the green expanse bordered by forest. When she reached the summit, she gazed down into a valley. In the meadow, deer grazed. They lifted their heads, sensing her presence. A stream curved through the vale and flashed in the sunlight.
Such beauty poured into Darcy with romantic passion. The land seemed to be a great barrier between her and some place that she would be called to someday. Where and when she did not know, but she yearned for it, for the adventure of it, the love that awaited her, and even the hardship and peril that would bring her closer to finding her heart’s desire.
She stood beneath a solitary maple so large she could not imagine how long ago the Ancient of Days had sprouted it from the earth. Heavy branches stretched high above her, and the cool shade fell over her. She shook back her hair and raised her face. Shutting her eyes, she drank in the world around her. Beneath her feet,