see anything but the outline of dark trees against an only slightly less dark sky. With Lord Williams’s face being the only other place to look, I contented myself with the black view.
Once, when the sky was lightening to a morning blue, my knee brushed against his as the carriage swayed around a bend. He may have been asleep, but I couldn’t risk looking at him; what if he was awake? Then we’d have to speak. I pressed my legs into the side of the carriage and closed my eyes, wishing sleep would come. Instead, I felt every jolt and rock of the carriage.
When the trees had definite form and the sky had become a pale blue, I risked a quick inspection of the carriage. Lord Williams had angled his legs so as to give me as much room as possible. If I had known, I would not have had to keep myself so cramped.
The sun was well into its morning rise when we crossed a bridge, the clear river beneath revealing its rock-strewn bottom, and drove between open gates.
I straightened. This was Lord Williams’s estate. I tried to act disinterested as I surveyed the tree-covered land, but as the drive curved and I caught my first glimpse of the house, I gasped at its beauty. The large ivory-gray stone was capped by a dark roof, beautifully carved gables, and a procession of stone chimneys that lined the skyline. Large, rectangular windows surrounded each of the three levels and giant bow windows stood like elegant open pillars at the sides of the front of the house.
It was much grander than I had imagined.
The coachman pulled to a stop and our door was opened. After descending, I surveyed my surroundings in admiration. Most of the view was taken up by fields of green broken only by giant oaks, while the house was established on a small rise with a river running a short stroll away.
No wonder he wanted to drain the lake. He thought we should have a river instead, just like him.
“Welcome to Pettley Hall,” Lord Williams said.
“Thank you,” my father said. I took my father’s arm and remained silent.
A butler arrived in the doorway. “My lord, welcome home. Your mother will be content now that you have returned.”
Lord Williams strode forward. “Good morning, Sundson. She is in good health, I trust?”
“The same as when you left, my lord. She is in the breakfast room.”
“Very good. This is Mr. Brinton and his daughter. They are here to stay for a few days. Please see that rooms are made ready for them.”
“Immediately, my lord.”
Once we passed through the door into the hall, I clasped tighter to my father’s arm. Before us stretched an immaculate tiled floor. The walls of the hall were lined with paintings accented by stone molding frames, and the ceiling was delightfully high with light pouring in from the windows behind us. I had never witnessed a more picturesque and stately room.
We followed Lord Williams down a hall toward the left wing and into a large room made larger by one of the bow windows. Other windows, nearly floor to ceiling, overlooked the river. The feeling was one of comfort, more so than I’d thought possible in such a grand house.
A lady sitting at the table rose. She was of average height but her hair was cut uncharacteristically short, rendering her regal and commanding. She glided across the floor in the manner every young woman hoped to imitate. Her dress, the most exquisite lavender shade, barely rustled at the movement.
“Gregory. What a welcome vision you are. I had not expected you for some days yet.”
“Good morning, Mother,” Lord Williams bent to kiss her cheek. “Allow me to introduce Mr. Brinton and his eldest daughter, Miss Brinton. They will be staying with us while Mr. Brinton’s youngest daughter is ill.”
I curtsied. “It is a pleasure to meet you, your ladyship.”
“You are both very welcome,” Lady Williams said. “With the fatigue of so long a journey, and arriving here so early, you must be exhausted. Gregory, you have sent Sundson to prepare some rooms?” He nodded. “Good. If you will follow me, I shall show you to them. I am certain you desire to freshen up, and I shall have some food sent to you there, if you would like.”
“Thank you,” my father replied.
I followed Lady Williams and my father to the door but paused and looked back. Lord Williams stood where we had left him, watching us, a frown