Page 13 of The Widow’s Christmas Surprise

“But are people really swayed by such things, Jane?” When money was involved they often seemed to care about little else. “From what I have gathered from my inquiries to Mr. Clarke and Mr. Granger, Lord Kersey is under no obligation to offer me anything.”

Jane’s brows rose to an alarming height. “You wrote to Mr. Granger?”

“I did.” Maria sat back on the sofa, raising her chin defiantly at her cousin. “I have been in contact with him regarding the running of the estate ever since he left. You knew that. And once Mr. Clarke told me the heir had been found, I of course passed this information along to Mr. Granger as well.” She cast her gaze down to her hands clenched in her lap. “And I might have asked his advice as to whether he knew if I was in any way entitled to live at the dower house.”

“But you know you do not have a right to it unless the current lord agrees.”

“Yes, I know that, but it hurt nothing to inquire. Mr. Granger knows practically everything about the Kersey estate.” Maria risked a glance at Jane and regretted it instantly. Her cousin had narrowed her eyes and now glared at her through the slitted lids. “I thought he might have known of some family tradition that would make it a precedent.”

“I see.”

Hopefully, Jane did not see. Maria had relished the correspondence she’d been able to exchange with the steward these last six weeks. His brother had continued to linger, still unable to either succumb to or recover from his wound. Mr. Granger had promised that as soon as the new earl arrived, he would make arrangements for his brother’s care and return to Kersey Hall. That promise had become Maria’s one shining hope in the fog of despair she often found herself in these days. With Lord Kersey’s appearance here today, she could at least look forward to Mr. Granger’s arrival in the very near future.

Why she should do so, she refused to dwell upon. Their encounter at the fountain, the last day Mr. Granger had been in residence, was seared into her memory. That touch of his hand . . . She refused to think of it now, although she’d done so often in the dark nights since his departure. A foolish thing perhaps. But perhaps not.

“We are here.” Jane’s voice brought Maria out of her reverie regarding Mr. Granger. Shaking off the longing she couldn’t quite deny, Maria looked out at the familiar entrance to the house that had until recently been her home.

As the carriage slowed to a halt, Maria drew in a deep breath and looked at Jane. “Are you ready?”

Her cousin nodded. “Are you?”

“I had better be.”

Two footmen with umbrellas scurried to convey them to the house. Maria greeted Chambers, who smiled and bowed. “Lady Kersey, Lady John. I’m so pleased to see you again, ladies. The family is gathered in the drawing room.”

“Thank you, Chambers.” Maria smiled at the butler and they started down the corridor toward the staircase. “Have Lord and Lady Kersey had any trouble settling into the house?”

“There was a bit of confusion about which rooms were to be designated for which of their two sons, my lady. The heir, Lord Wetherby, wished to be placed in the chamber that overlooks the garden, although I informed his lordship that the heir has, in past generations, been housed in the chamber closest to the master’s suite of rooms.” The elderly servant shook his head as they approached the top of the stairs. “That room, as you know, overlooks the woods.”

“And did Lord Kersey instruct his son to follow the tradition?” Jane cut her eyes at Maria, who smothered a smile.

“No, my lady, he did not.” The disapproval in Chambers’s voice rang loud and clear. “His lordship said he didn’t care which room Lord Wetherby chose, he must come to an accord with his younger brother as to how the rooms would be apportioned.” The butler’s countenance stiffened. “After that pronouncement there ensued quite a row between Lord Wetherby and his brother over possession of the green room.”

Jane leaned over to whisper in Maria’s ear. “It sounds as if the new earl has two rather unruly children. One can only hope they will be sent off to school post haste.”

Maria smothered a giggle, then sobered as they approached the drawing room. Arranging her face into serene lines with a pleasant smile on her lips, she took a deep breath and walked confidently into the room.

The sea of unfamiliar faces froze Maria just inside the room. She’d been expecting only Lord and Lady Kersey, but here were three additional gentlemen she did not . . . She sucked in a breath as her gaze met that of the third gentleman—the deep, brilliant blue of Mr. Granger’s eyes.

The pressure of Jane’s hand on her arm propelled her farther into the room, her befuddled mind unable to register anything other than Mr. Granger’s presence and the wild thought that he was more handsome than before he’d left. But what was he doing here? Of course, she’d written him about Lord Kersey’s appearance, but somehow she’d believed he’d let her know that he had returned to Kersey Hall. Then she wouldn’t have been so shocked to see him.

Mr. Granger stepped forward, a warm smile on his lips. “Lady Kersey, Lady John, so nice to see you once more.” He bowed, then turned to the imposing silver-haired gentleman and willowy lady just behind him. “Lady Kersey, Lord Kersey, may I introduce Maria, the Dowager Lady Kersey and her cousin, Lady John Tarkington?”

Startled anew to be called the dowager countess, Maria dipped a curtsey then raised her face to meet the new owners of Kersey Hall. Lord Kersey had some little resemblance to Alan, his height mostly and the almost sharp, pinched look of his nose. Otherwise, his countenance was rather pleasing, with blue eyes and a pleasant smile. His wife, too, smiled broadly as she stepped forward.

“Lady Kersey and Lady John, the new earl and countess, Lord and Lady Kersey.” Mr. Granger bowed and stepped back, but his gaze remained on Maria’s face.

“So lovely to meet you, my lady.” The countess curtsied, then turned to Jane. “My lady.”

Lord Kersey stepped forward and gave a clipped bow. He still smiled at them, although it did not quite reach his eyes. “We have been looking forward to making your acquaintance for some time, ladies. Mr. Clarke has given me all the particulars of the situation with the previous Lord Kersey. May I extend our condolences to you, Lady Kersey?”

“Thank you, my lord.” Something in the man’s intent stare made Maria uncomfortable and she dropped her gaze. “You are most kind.”

After a short, awkward pause, Lady Kersey spoke hastily. “Lady Kersey, Lady John, may I present our sons, Anthony, Lord Wetherby, and James? They are both recently returned from our former home in Virginia.”

Both young men smiled and bowed, the elder coming forward slightly to stand in front of Maria. “Delighted to meet you, my lady.” He smiled, showing white, even teeth, and a whiff of bergamot wafted over Maria, making her mouth dry instantly. Lord Wetherby’s cologne brought Alan instantly to mind, and suddenly highlighted the keen resemblance this young man bore to her late husband. The same curly, golden hair, same height, same deep blue eyes that assessed her with a cool admiration. A chill raced down her spine and she drew her silk shawl more firmly around her shoulders.

“So pleased to meet you.” Thankfully, James Garrett seemed to take his looks from his mother, being somewhat shorter than his brother, with light brown hair and eyes and a short, upturned nose.