“I am ready for the most delightful weekend,” she said, after kissing her brother on theforehead.
Chester conferred with Wesley to make sure the luggage was all accounted for and then he greetedMark.
“Strapping weather, eh? I hear you have a stocked fish pond. Might like to take a try at the game. Brought alongmeown tackle. Will there be an opportunity thisweekend?”
“Whatever suits you, Chester—by all means. Make yourselves at home and no need to stand on ceremony. The cooks have been cooking up a storm and all is ready for a jolly time. The bars are stocked. The fountains are running full blast. And I believe the deer are running, if you fancy ashoot.”
“Excellent. Jolly good,” Chester said, as he followed Wesley up the entrance steps, once again, counting each piece ofluggage.
Alice had married well. Chester was only slightly older than she was. He was from a family that owned a midlands brewery and pubs. His managers ran the business, so he did not have to do a great deal more than check in with them occasionally, and care for his wife and children with hisinheritance.
Chester was a large man. Not flabby or fat, but burly in the manner of a man who could lift and carry a barrel of ale. His red cheeks and nose gave him the appearance of one who drank too much, but he did not. He was a devoted family man and adored his wife as she didhim.
Mark came down the steps to welcome Emily who was hanging back as the family greeted eachother.
“I am so happy to see you. How have you been holding up since the audition?” heasked.
“Fair to middling,” she said. “But I have been working hard and have prepared a program for a recital this weekend to entertain yourguests.”
“Excellent idea. There are a number of gentlemen and their families who are most influential in the music world. Several of whom I want you to meet and interview. I believe one or two might be in a position to do what Andre could—or would—notdo.”
Mark offered her his arm and they ascended thesteps.
“And the Duchess? Will she be in attendance? I should love to see heragain.”
“Of course, she would not miss this crowd for anything. She loves company and chides me that we do not entertain enough. However, the county fair is this weekend, and she has several entries in the flower show, so she will be slightly distracted by worrying about the results of thecompetition.”
They entered the house and a lady’s maid greeted Emily and led her to hersuite.
“Miss, I am Sally. If you need anything at all, I am at your service,” she said with acurtsy.
“Thank you, Sally. I will need help with dressing for dinner. And I should like to bathe before I dress. Will that be aproblem?”
“Not at all, Miss. We have water on the boil all weekend just for the guest’sbaths.”
“Thank you. That will be all for now,” Emilysaid.
“Shall I unpack your valisefirst?”
“Oh, yes, that would benice.”
Emily went over to the large array of windows overlooking the lake and gardens in front of the house. It was a lovely afternoon and the clouds were scuttling by in the late spring breeze. She had no idea what to expect from this weekend, but she believed Mark was working hard on her behalf, and she took comfort inthat.
* * *
Mark was conferring with Wesley in the library over the service for dinner thatevening.
“I expect a few of our European guests may be delayed because of high seas over the channel. Therefore, I cannot say with any certainty what the final dinner count will be,Wesley.”
“Not to worry Your Grace, I shall lay a full table and seat the guests so that there will be a few empty spaces in the middle should your guests show uplate.”
Mark nodded. “That should suffice. Thank you, Wesley. Oh, and make certain there is enough hock on ice for the secondcourse.”
“Of course, YourGrace.”
Wesley turned to leave the library just as the door opened and Sophie came in, looking fresh and eager to enjoy theweekend.
“It has been a long time since you had such a weekend crowd. It is quite delightful. I was afraid you were sinking into your dotage and becoming an old fuddy at an earlyage.”
