Her great-aunt left her library just at that moment, greeting the newcomers with cries of welcome.
"Mrs. Coxmoor, rumor has it that you have two gentlemen as well as your grandniece staying with you. You are very naughty not to let us know," cried the petite brunette. "We are here to become acquainted."
Her great-aunt touched Nympha's arm. "Dearest, I would have you meet our neighbors. Lady Anne Nelthorpe, Lady Jane Nelthorpe, and Lord Henry Nelthorpe. This is my grandniece, Miss Nympha Herbert. I would not be surprised if Lord Henry would enjoy joining in the games proposed for today."
"Games?" the dandy echoed faintly.
"What was decided upon, Nympha?" A mischievous light gleamed in her great-aunt's eyes.
Nympha was hard put to keep a properly demure expression after seeing those eyes. "I believe they settled on archery, quoits, and tennis if they have time."
"Well, we can all do quoits, and I'm a dab hand at archery, if I do say so," young Lord Henry declared.
Lady Anne and Lady Jane exchanged looks, but they did not deflate their brother's opinion of his skills.
Milburn came clattering down the stairs at this point, followed more leisurely by Lord Nicholas, who seemed to be sizing up the guests. Both gentlemen were garbed in appropriate breeches, coats, and shining boots.
Introductions followed. Nympha had the dubious pleasure of watching Lord Nicholas charm the Nelthorpe ladies. Milburn poured on the charm as well, but it didn't bother Nympha as much. It was obvious to her that these two young women were gifted with poise and a knowledge of society that she lacked.
"What is this we hear about games?" Lady Anne demanded, taking hold of Lord Nicholas's arm to propel him into the drawing room. Lady Jane promptly latched on to Mr. Milburn, leaving Nympha with the dandy, Lord Henry.
"Well, you cannot say my sister allows any moss to grow under her feet. When she sees something she wants, she does tend to go after it—or him, as the case may be."
Nympha wanted to inform this boy that Lord Nicholas was not for the taking. She wished she might. What a pity she had to do the civil thing, and be all politeness.
"We shall begin the day with archery, I believe." Lord Nicholas detached himself from the clinging Lady Anne to walk over so that he could give Foley a few instructions. That done, he beckoned all to follow him, and somehow he ended up next to Nympha, with Lady Anne on his other side.
Nympha admired his ability to avoid being monopolized by the tenacious Lady Anne and yet give the impression that he was enormously pleased to meet her.
"I believe I have seen you in London, Lord Nicholas," Lady Anne declared. Her vivacious face beamed a smile, in spite of his avoidance of her claim on his arm.
"It is possible, although I spend much time at my country home—near where Nympha lives."
Nympha wondered if it was a slip of the tongue, or if he deliberately used her first name, indicating that they had a more than casual relationship. She waited to see what reaction, if any, followed.
"And where is that, pray tell?"
Lord Nicholas chose not to reply.
Nympha decided that archness was not a desirable trait. She accepted a container of arrows from Foley before leaving the house. Lord Nicholas and Mr. Milburn each carried several bows, and strolled down the front steps behind her. The Nelthorpes were right beside them.
Lady Anne lingered near Lord Nicholas when he tossed a coin and won the right to shoot first.
"Perhaps you would like to go first, Lady Anne?"
"Never. I am not a great strapping girl to be able to use a bow like Miss Herbert. Jane is delicate as well, I fear." She dimpled up at the men, much like sugar candy.
Nympha took a good look at both young women and decided they were very clever. Would the men see through that ploy? She'd wager they were as sturdy as oaks.
"Perhaps we can watch while the gentlemen impress us with their skill?" Nympha led the two Nelthorpe women to an attractive stone bench not far from where the target was set up.
"Have you been here very long?" Lady Anne inquired.
"Not very. There has been much to do since we arrived." Nympha gave Lady Anne a melting smile.
"You traveled all together?" Lady Jane wanted to know with an arch of a brow.
"Lord Nicholas and I shared a coach after the one my great-aunt sent for me met with an accident. I have known him since childhood, you see. My father thinks highly of him." She paused. "Mr. Milburn met us at the first inn and henceforth we joined up for meals and the evening." Nympha wasn't sure she had put that right.
She wanted to give the impression that Lord Nicholas was not quite as free as they seemed to think.
"I see." Lady Anne didn't reveal what she saw. Instead she shifted her attention to the contest taking place.
It was soon evident that Lord Nicholas could beat the other men to flinders. He had none of the mannerisms possessed by Mr. Milburn, nor the irresolute attempts by Lord Henry. However, Lord Henry—after a few quiet comments from Lord Nicholas—improved his shooting dramatically.
In the end it was Lord Nicholas who walked off with the honors.
"Quoits!" Mr. Milburn declared, not discouraged by his poor showing in archery.
The dandy, Lord Henry, surprised them all by being a dab hand at quoits. He picked up the iron ring, letting it sail from his hand in the most effortless of ways. And always his ring encircled the peg stuck in the ground, bringing a win to his credit.
Nympha thought the peg should protrude more than an inch, but said nothing. After all, these people had been at this for years. She was a novice—and at more things than games.
From the area where they had played quoits, the group wandered over to the tennis court.
Nympha sought a position where she would be least apt to be hit by a stray ball. Lady Anne and Lady Jane seated themselves on a center bench, while Lord Henry chose to join Nympha.
"I can see this is a contest between those two. I wonder why," he mused thoughtfully.
Nympha had a few notions, but she wasn't about to reveal them to a stranger. When Lord Nicholas won after a skillfully fought battle, Mr. Milburn flashed a look of ill will at him, but otherwise was a good loser.
Chapter Ten
"Oh, ma'am, I cannot believe the change in this room with the new wallpaper in place. How fine the furniture appears. Even the cream bed covering goes well with it. I must say, I am very impressed with the results. Who would have thought Mr. Langley could actually achieve so much in such a short time!" Nympha slowly revolved, absorbing the delightful aspect of exotic plants, birds, and flowers on the wall.
"Well, he did have help, you know," Great-Aunt Letitia replied with her dry manner.
"Well, I think the results splendid."
"Fine! Now I want you to inspect the ballroom. I ordered what I wanted to be done, and it should be finished by now. Foley knows just how I like things to be. Come."
Nympha gave the invaluable Foley a smile of approval when she saw him. She followed in her great-aunt's wake as she marched off down a hall that Nympha had yet to explore. They paused before a tall set of double doors.
If fairyland ever existed it must be like this room, Nympha decided when she entered to gaze about with awe. Cream walls had tall windows interspersed with equally tall pier glasses. Above these arched branches of greenery and silk flowers. Potted trees served to soften the corners of the room and added the feeling of being in a forest. Overhead, more greenery was draped from the chandeliers that held hundreds of beeswax candles. She could imagine the dancers whirling about to the music, colorful costumes lending to the magical atmosphere.
"Oh, my. It is overwhelming. I have never seen the like of it." Along with the greenery the subtle scent of moss and primroses drifted in the air. Nympha discovered there were pots of primroses here and there in corners by the potted trees.
"I attended the Nelthorpe ball last year. It was spectacular, of course. I desired this ball to be just as impressive. You will have the opportunity to meet everyone of interest or importance in our little area. All those I invited have accepted." Great-Aunt Letitia walked along the length of the vast room, examining the arches of greenery at length. "So, what did you think of the Nelthorpe girls? I won't inquire about Lord Henry, for he couldn't hold a candle to Lord Nicholas, but is a good lad for all that." She paused to study her young relative.
"Lady Anne is vivacious and I think would be great fun to know. Lady Jane is quiet, but seems equally nice. And as to Lord Henry, well, he played a splendid game of quoits." Nympha's golden curls bounced as she nodded with emphasis at her last words.
What her real feelings were regarding Lady Anne had best be kept to herself. How could she explain her suspicions that that young lady was making a dead set at Lord Nicholas? With her sparkling looks and vivacity, her title and family background, who could resist her? And Lord Nicholas did not appear to make too much of an attempt. He had permitted her to latch on to his arm as though it belonged to her alone. Although, to be fair, he did distance himself shortly. And his smile? Well, some might call it teasing, but Nympha called it nauseating.
"Never underestimate a man's ability to play games," Great-Aunt Letitia cautioned. "Much strategy is learned on cricket fields, not to mention bonds of friendships that last a lifetime. Lord Henry has a good future in hand unless he makes a botch of things. He might be second in line to the dukedom, but it is no bad position for all that. You never know what the future may hold," she concluded.
Great-Aunt Letitia resumed her walking, chatting about nothing in particular as she inspected all that had been done to decorate the ballroom. At last satisfied with the arrangements, she headed toward the door, with Nympha in tow. "I think all is in readiness. Your costume is as well, I take it?"
"It is beyond what I expected. Mrs. Rankin is quite remarkable." A sound at the door brought her head around, her eyes widening as she saw who it was.
"Here you are," Lord Nicholas exclaimed as he crossed the floor to meet them. "Foley was so good as to direct me here." Words ceased as he looked around the room. "Superb!"
"I'll warrant you have seen a fair number of ballrooms even as young as you are." Great-Aunt Letitia planted herself in his way. She appeared to be ready to settle for a long conversation.
"Indeed, I have ma'am . . . but none more admirable than this one," he said with a gracious bow. "I was hunting for Miss Herbert with the hope that she would join me for a walk since the sun is unusually warm today." His dark eyes caught Nympha's gaze seductively for a moment. She felt the intensity in his eyes clear down to her toes.
He was particularly admirable today, his dark green coat contrasting nicely with biscuit breeches. She doubted it was possible to have boots shine brighter than his did, and his waistcoat appeared to her a wonder of elegance. Her assessment ignored his handsome face. Nympha couldn't imagine how her great-aunt could deny him anything.
Indeed, she did not deny his request. She nodded. "If Nympha is agreeable, you both might as well enjoy a good bit of weather. Do you walk here or elsewhere?"
"I discovered a curricle in the stables. After a bit of cleaning up, it is ready to take us for a little jaunt, if that is agreeable with you, ma'am."
With the smile he bestowed on her great-aunt, Nympha knew he would easily overcome any resistance her relative might offer.
"Clever of you to have nosed that out. My late husband ordered it, but I never use it. By all means, enjoy the sights hereabout. Newstead Abby stands empty; don't bother to go over there. Try the Friar Tuck walk instead. Used to be a pretty area."
After fetching her bonnet and sky blue pelisse, Nympha joined Lord Nicholas in the entryway where he stood chatting with her great-aunt. Nympha wondered what they had discussed. He seemed far too smug to suit her.
"I told him that since he was such a good friend of your parents you might dispense with your maid this once. I believe a groom up in back will suffice." Her great-aunt shot Lord Nicholas a look that told Nympha there was little she didn't know or suspect about the behavior of a young gentleman when with a young lady. Her brother, Adam, would have said that Great-Aunt Letitia was awake on all suits!
Nympha pulled on her gloves and adjusted her bonnet again. Lord Nicholas had a way of flustering her. It was disconcerting to feel so under a spell from this man she had known most of her life.
Nicholas bowed. He offered Nympha his arm with his customary charm.
How satisfying to feel the leashed strength in that arm, to shiver with delight when he picked her up to place her in the curricle. Quivery, that's how she felt inside— but oddly enough, only with Lord Nicholas.
"Milburn was summoned to Mansfield by his uncle's groom. Seems the old chap has had a reversal, for which I am sorry. But it leaves me free to be with you, without Milburn making an unwanted third. I enjoy your company and want no others." He grinned at her, and Nympha's insides melted a little. It was difficult to be vexed with Lord Nicholas for any length of time.
Nympha tried not to grin, but succeeded only in sputtering with laughter. "You are a dreadful man. Lord Nicholas. I had no idea you were like this when I was home. Everything seems so different here. You—I— seem changed. I hope it is not the aspect of my inheritance that is causing me to feel this way."
He joined her in the vehicle, cocking his head as he studied her. "Somehow I doubt the essential
you
will be altered." He picked up the reins, waited for his groom to scramble up behind, and set off down the avenue to the main road. "Your parents saw fit to instill some common sense in your head."
Nympha thought that common sense did not sound the least romantical. Aware of the elderly groom that perched up behind them, she resolved to keep her comments to the minimum. Evidently Lord Nicholas had no such reservations.
"I think it would be a good day in which to take that walk your great-aunt mentioned. Someone remarked there is an abundance of ferns along the path. Perhaps a few primroses as well? You seem to enjoy them."