“I would rely on your father or brother, yes. Did you really like Mr. Mainmount, or were you trying to please your mama?”
“I did like him, though I do not know him well enough yet to say how much. I found him amusing, charming, and well-looking.”
“He always struck me as oily and energetic.” Amelia, her arms crossed, stood behind Cecilia.
“Whatever do you mean? I suppose he has a smooth manner, but he seems carefree to me.”
“I mean he can be forceful in pursuit of his desires,” Amelia said in a serious tone. “I want to warn you, cousin. You have not heard of his past reputation, but I have. His behavior would not please you.”
Cecilia dropped the brush to the table with a clatter. “You have said the same of Mr. Cateret. Really, I think you do not like charming men. I do not want to hear of it. I have been subjected to enough of such talk about Mr. Cateret. I will judge Mr. Mainmount for myself.” Cecilia bridled at Amelia’s superior tone, and at her own concealments.
“Oh, Cecilia, when will you learn? You have been sheltered, for though you may think you have more freedom in the country, you are more confined. Here I may go about to Mrs. Morris’s, the subscription library, parks, and museums, as long as I have a respectable companion. I have learned the ways of the world thusly. Also I have had no men about to keep me unaware of the vices of their sex.”
“I will hear no more. You come too close to maligning my dear papa and Wil.” Cecilia rose with a frown, though she softened when Amelia patted her shoulder. “It is too early for me to need make any decisions. I shall simply try to employ my father’s edict to enjoy myself.”
Cecilia did not at first believe she would experience any pleasure upon seating herself in Mr. Thornhill’s curricle after he called for her shortly after breakfast. However, he was most companionable and they were in accord on the beauty of the outdoors. His observant eye, which noted everything from a pretty cluster of daffodils to the types of trees throughout the park, impressed her.
“I am no naturalist, Miss Wilcox. But I take pleasure where I can in London. I have spent many an hour here on my sojourns.”
“Indeed, your keen eye must be an asset to you at your home. Such observance of detail must only increase your capable management of and pleasure in your grounds.” Cecilia’s father had taught her to recognize and respect responsible landowners.
“Thank you, I hope you are such a careful observer of all men’s behavior and qualities.”
Cecilia flushed, for she did not like his veiled hint. Surely he tried to caution her against Mr. Mainmount again. After already disagreeing about him with Amelia earlier, Cecilia had no wish to repeat such a conversation, so she pretended to take his comment at face value.
“I try to, sir, though some tell me my judgment is not always so keen as my observation.”
“You are young yet, your father must guide your discernment.”
She clasped her hands. She had been used to trusting her own judgment and had been respected in it by her father, brother, Polly, Mrs. Partridge, and Mr. Cateret. Perhaps that had been their indulgence of her youth, for none of them gave any indication recently that they did.
“I suppose we women must learn to acquire a submissive temperament to better obey our father or husband,” Cecilia said in a tone which belied her words, echoing what she had read in one of Polly’s books, not that she had managed to finish the exalted tome.
“You do not seem wholly reconciled to this, Miss Wilcox,” Mr. Thornhill said, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
“My mother would tell you my father, brother, and our friends have been too indulgent of me. She has sought to remedy this and I see she may be correct.”
“Have you experienced some misadventure that caused this change in your thinking?”
Cecilia was surprised he came so close to the matter, though he had such eyes as seemed to see into her very soul. She shook her head at her own fancy. Certainly she would not give any hint of her disappointment in Mr. Cateret to Mr. Thornhill.
“You yourself have observed my misadventure, Mr. Thornhill,” Cecilia said with a twinkling laugh. “It has been brought to bear on me that a woman of eighteen must be a different creature than a girl of sixteen.”
“I hope this does not lead you to become one of those sophisticated women, full of scorn and intrigue. Your innocence and modesty do you credit and must be properly protected,” Mr. Thornhill replied, a crease in his brow.
Cecilia blushed at such an estimation of herself. “Perhaps I am used to enjoying the protection of my father and brother, thus I feel less secure here.”
“I wonder that neither of them accompanied you, then. Such a one as yourself, not used to the unscrupulous, might be more open to danger.” Mr. Thornhill deftly reined in the horses, which had started at a passing hellion.
“My father dislikes London and they had business to attend. My mother, I suppose, judged that she and my aunt would provide sufficient protection, as Mrs. Higham has for Miss Higham and Miss Amelia.” Cecilia inhaled a refreshing breath as they passed a small lake. The scent of recent rain and growing greenery made her throat constrict, longing for home.
“Yes, but they are of a different type than yourself. I hope you will be cautious.”
“I will try. I thank you for your concern,” Cecilia said. She did not wish to continue their discussion, as she felt it would lead to mention of Mr. Mainmount. “Do you often come to town? Do you stay the whole season?”
“No, not for many years. I make my plans open-ended, depending on the companionability of the society I find. I currently plan to extend my stay another fortnight. May I hope for your company again, Miss Wilcox?”
“I thank you, sir, but…” The oddness of their first meeting weighed on her. He did not seem a careless man, as so many were.
“Yes?” he said. His relaxed posture straightened, rigid and uncompromising.
“Why did you ride so recklessly that day?” Cecilia tweaked the fingers of her left glove.
“My business is private. It should be enough that it was an urgent matter.”
“Should it?” Cecilia said. He would not meet her eyes. He slowed as they approached her aunt’s. “Thank you for the excursion.”
“My pleasure,” he said in a tight voice. He handed her down and escorted her in, taking his leave of them with a cool politeness. She would not see him again. Of course, she did not care. She bit her lip.
“He did not seem well pleased,” Aunt Higham said as Cecilia settled on one of the chairs in the drawing room.
“Perhaps she does not like him,” her mother said.
I do
like him
. She scooted herself away, so she might focus on the window.
“Where did you go? What did you discuss?” Mrs. Higham said. They would not be deterred. She had best give them some answer.
“We drove in the park. He pointed out many trees and plants…the daffodils are still blooming. He is not a talkative man.” The stuffy air and company made Cecilia shift in her seat.
“Sounds a dull man,” her mother said in an undertone.
“He is not at all dull,” Cecilia said, lowering her head at her irritated tone.
“Very well,” Mrs. Wilcox said. “He has not left you in good spirits. I venture Mr. Mainmount will have you smiling.”
“I believe you are correct,” Cecilia said. Like Mr. Cateret, Mr. Mainmount would no doubt have her laughing and smiling and not leave her vexed and confused.
When he arrived, Cecilia took time to study him more closely than she had at the ball, where there had been so many distractions. As he spoke to Mrs. Wilcox and Mrs. Higham, she noticed not only his similar elegance of dress to Mr. Cateret, but also his polite yet slightly insouciant tone and dark good looks which all reminded her of her first love. Again she felt drawn to him for these similarities yet repelled by them at the same time. When Mr. Mainmount turned to her with a charming smile, Cecilia’s stomach fluttered, as it did with Mr. Cateret, but she had no time to think on its meaning.
“Miss Wilcox, you are looking fresh today. Many ladies will not be seen the day after a ball, but I see you need not fear any censure.”
“Thank you, sir,” Cecilia replied, not knowing what else to say to such a comment.
Mr. Mainmount made a slight bow. “Would you care to drive out? After an evening indoors, I always prefer outdoor pursuits.”
“You and Mr. Thornhill have one thing in common, then, for we rode through Hyde Park this morning. It was agreeable.” The longing for home, for the countryside, pressed a weight upon her.
“I believe we have one other commonality, Miss Wilcox,” Mr. Mainmount said with a mixture of sincerity and smoothness. “I place myself at your disposal. What do you wish to do?”
Cecilia was momentarily silenced for she was rarely asked such a question. Also, she did not know what would be proper. At her obvious puzzlement, Mr. Mainmount gave a chuckle.
“Might I suggest a walk in the park or perhaps you would prefer some indoor diversion as you have already been out?”
“A walk, if you please, Mr. Mainmount.” Cecilia looked to her mother, who nodded her approval. The park opposite Mrs. Higham’s provided a pleasant place to stroll and as she had suspected, Mr. Mainmount kept the conversation light.
“Have you been to London before, Miss Wilcox?”
“Only once, last year. I admit I prefer country pursuits.”
“I enjoy them too but you ought give the city a fair chance. You may find both country and city have their appeal. What have you done on your visits? Theatre, galleries, Vauxhall gardens? Or have you only been to private parties?”
“Mostly, yes. I was not out yet last year and we have only been here four days.”
“I hope you will allow me to show you some of the pleasures of London, then. You must go to the theatre, of course, and if you like the countryside, there are some pretty spots just outside town. Will you allow me to arrange both?”
“Yes, thank you.” Cecilia attempted to take an expanding breath, but the air was as heavy and dank as the graying skies.
“I will speak to Mrs. Wilcox later, then. Also, my mother asked that you join us for dinner the day after tomorrow. She sent over an invitation to your aunt.”
“Thank you, you are most kind.”
“Think nothing of it. It will be my pleasure.” He sounded truly pleased with her, unlike Mr. Thornhill. “Now then, I do not believe I have claimed enough of your time yet. I intend to quite monopolize you, Miss Wilcox.” Again Cecilia was reminded of Mr. Cateret and so was silent.
“I shall take your silence as agreement. Will you to church tomorrow, I assume?”
“Yes,” Cecilia said, lightening at an opportunity to tease Mr. Mainmount. “Surely not you, sir? Quiet and a sermon cannot agree with you. I fear you would take ill.”
“Do you? Yes, I have required sustaining many a Sunday. Perhaps you will try to reform me, Miss Wilcox?”
“Reforming is not in my character, sir. I leave that to better women than myself.” Cecilia laughed.
“Better? Surely not. Are you secretly sinful, miss?” He drew himself taller and affected the disdainful smirk of many a country curate.
“I suppose that depends on your definition.” Cecilia laughed again. “Certainly not by your standards, I would assume.”
“No, I imagine not,” Mr. Mainmount said, raising an eyebrow which sent Cecilia into a fit of giggles. Sitting on a nearby bench to compose herself, she apologized.
“I am glad you find me so amusing, Miss Wilcox. Perhaps it is you who needs reforming? What are you guilty of, then? Disobedience? Willfulness? Dishonoring your father and mother? Not loving your neighbor? I willingly submit myself so you may amend the last.”
“I am sorry to disappoint, but I fear I can only be charged with the first three offenses, sir. However, if you wish to submit yourself to me as my tutor in the amusements of London, I shall accept.” Placing her hands on the cool bench, she gazed at the swaying poplars.
“Happily, though I believe we must begin with something more sober. Will I see you tomorrow, then? Remember, dinner on Monday and I lay claim to Wednesday and Friday as well.” He offered his arm, which she rose and took.
“As you say. I hope I will prove an apt pupil.”
“I have no doubt you will prove yourself talented, especially under my experienced tutelage,” Mr. Mainmount finished with half a smile.
Cecilia was delighted by their lively conversation, though she began to realize that previously Mr. Cateret and now Mr. Mainmount probably implied more in their comments than she did. However, it was amusing to banter with either of those charming gentlemen so she did not wish to quit the pursuit just yet. Surely there could be no harm in it; they were both gentlemen and it was all in jest, after all. Also, with Mr. Mainmount, her deeper feelings were uninvolved. Perhaps a harmless flirtation with him could help her get over Mr. Cateret.
Securing her mother’s and aunt’s acceptance for the dinner party and their agreement to the engagements he planned, Mr. Mainmount took his leave of them, jauntily wishing them a good day and looking forward to the pleasure of seeing them tomorrow. Mrs. Wilcox was pleased with Cecilia, though she may not have been so happy had she heard her conversation with Mr. Mainmount. However, Cecilia was not bothered by that. She was only glad not to be scolded and hoped for a carefree week.