The air smelled like damp earth and wet dog. William’s horse was jittering, its clomping hooves echoing off the flagstones in front of the Lococks’ stable. He looked round at the other riders who, like him, were eager for the courtiers to arrive from Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s holiday home, so the fox-hunt could begin.
William glanced at his sister, sitting proudly on her horse across from the men, casting furtive glances at Basil Napier.
Dear God, he thought, try not to make a fool of yourself Ella.
Basil, however, didn’t seem to mind. William watched him maneuvered his horse away from his brothers and discreetly guided it next to hers.
“That is a fine mare,” Basil said, resting his hands on the mane of Ella’s horse. She blushed and glanced at the sea.
“I can see you know how to manage her.”
Ella sat upright at the compliment. “I ride her as often as possible, when the weather permits us to come visit.”
Basil moved his eyes over her long figure, taking in her slim riding skirt, her right leg hoisted up on the leaping horn. “Ready for an adventure in that saddle are you?”
“The saddle was a gift from my father for my twentieth birthday. He wants me to feel secure while riding.” She neglected to mention how she had argued with her mother and father about the necessity of the specially made and expensive saddle that was fitted with an extra pommel so she could jump.
“Very good. I can’t imagine sitting sidesaddle during a hunt; it is a wonder women can enjoy hunting at all,” Basil said. Ella smiled at his small gesture of approval.
Bill Napier’s horse trotted up alongside William’s and he slapped William lightly on his sleeve. “Seems my brother has found his way to your sister again,” he said, nodding over at the lovestruck couple.
“Yes, and for once my sister seems to be at a loss for words.”
The horses’ ears flickered at a distant sound, and the riders turned their heads in unison to see the rest of the hunt party trotting up the path. Florence Jones was among them, sauntering into the circle of riders on her grey mare. She appeared especially festive in a bright green riding habit, her blonde curls escaping from under her velveteen hat. William was giddy at the sight of her, and as anxious as the horses and hounds for the hunt to begin so he could show off his riding prowess.
While the fox hunting party commenced with merry-making — complimenting each other on their attire, flirting with members of the opposite sex, wishing each other Merry Christmas — the Lococks’ servants carefully weaved between their horses, passing around stirrup cups filled with wassail. William lifted his glass to his lips, and winked at Florence. She batted her eyes at him, and tossed her head back, laughing at something someone next to her said while they waited for the command from the Master of the Hunt.
Once the hounds and hunt terrier were let loose, William’s horse, along with the others, wasted no time following in chase. The terrier rooted a red fox out of a covert and into the open fields within minutes, and the horses leapt into full gallop after the hounds, tailing the small canine. William could see flashes of red fur bounding up and down in the tall grass of the meadow.
It was a breathless run for the riders. The hounds bayed excitedly, while the wind whipped William’s face. His ears were ringing from the men’s cries, the blare of the horn and the thunderous pounding of the horses’ hooves. He turned his head to view the ladies’ progress. Ella was laughing, the wind had blown her hat off and her cheeks were pink from the excitement, but Florence was trailing cautiously behind. When William looked forward he saw why—a high hedge about 20 rods ahead. The riders would have to jump over it to follow the fox and hounds that were crawling underneath.
William fell back and pulled up alongside his sister, motioning for her to stop before trying to make the jump. He knew she could make it, but he also knew Florence couldn’t, and he didn’t want his sister to show her up. Ella scowled at him. He motioned again and took hold of her reins to slow down the mare. By then Florence had reached them.
“You two ladies take the path around the hedge farther down field,” he instructed, pointing to the right. He was off before Ella could protest.
Catching up to the others, he jumped the hedgerow in time to see the hounds heading toward a field house where they would surely corner the fox. When the riders pulled up, the pack was tearing it apart. The Master of the Hunt presented the tail to Bill Napier for his superb horsemanship.
“How dare you make me stop at full gallop. I could have made that jump without any trouble at all and you know it,” Ella said to William as they were being driven later that evening back to Binstead for a gala.
William sighed. “I didn’t want Florence to feel that she had to make the jump as well and she may have attempted it just because you had.”
“Pffft. If she rode properly and had the right saddle she could have made that jump,” Ella said.
“For once try not to think only of yourself. You would never have considered that jump if father hadn’t given in to your constant nagging for that custom-made saddle. And I was the one that intervened for you remember?”
Ella smiled mischievously. “We both know why you stopped me from making the jump.”
“If my gallantry lands me on Florence’s dance card more than once this evening, then yes, all the better for me,” William said, slapping her knee lightly with his gloves.
“All the better for you, yes, but I had to endure the indignity of reining in my horse so you could appear chivalrous.”
William raised a brow. “Better to rein in your horse than to show off for Basil Napier.”
“I wasn’t showing off for anyone. Unlike you with Florence,” Ella retorted.
“Oh yes you were,” William said with a smile and gazed out the window at the growing dark.
Ella opened her mouth to protest but before she could speak the driver called back to the siblings, “Mr. Durant, we have arrived at the Locock residence.”
Charles Locock, the Durants’ lawyer in England, and his wife, Fanny, greeted them at the grand entrance hall in Binstead.
“How are you enjoying your stay in Cowes?” Fanny asked them.
“We have a wonderful cottage overlooking the sea,” William said.
“How lovely. Your parents arrived about an hour ago,” Fanny said. She turned to Ella. “Your mother is waiting for you, Ella, in the ladies’ drawing room. Nell will show you the way.” Fanny took hold of Ella’s arm and handed her over to the servant waiting to take her coat and hat and guide her to the ladies’ drawing room.
After preparing himself in the drawing room set aside for the men, William went to the ballroom floor.
“Champagne sir?” A servant held a tray up to him.
He took a crystal glass from the tray, and scanned the room until he saw his father. Dr. Durant was occupying a corner with Thomas Brassey, whose family were investors in the Union Pacific Railroad. William knew Brassey, had raced him at Cowes, and started toward them to find out if the conversation was one of business or pleasure, although he guessed it was not about yachting. His father looked as if he was chewing Brassey’s ear off.
“Willie, there you are old boy.” Charlie Arkwright sallied from nowhere to William’s side, preventing him from crossing the room.
“Charlie, I was just looking for you,” William lied.
Bill Napier came out of the men’s drawing room and approached them. Charlie Arkwright turned to William. “Say, did I tell you that man Lorenzo asked if he could photograph the two of us with our trophies from our trip up the Nile?”
Bill laughed. “I can see it now, Charlie, you and the monkey-head. There’d be quite a resemblance.”
“Bahhhh.” Arkwright playfully punched Jack in the arm. He turned his attention to William. “Willie, we must plan our next expedition to Egypt soon.”
“It will have to wait, Charlie. My father has informed us we are to return to America,” William said.
“You’re leaving England?”
“Hopefully I won’t be away long. It’s probably just temporary. I imagine my main task will be here in England, finding investors for his newest company.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth William knew it was largely wishful thinking, but as he watched his father out of the corner of his eye, he sensed that maybe there still was a chance for him to do his father’s business in London.
“Where are your lovely sister and mother?” Bill asked.
Dr. Durant signaled to William after Brassey left to talk to someone else.
“They are waiting for us. If you’ll excuse me.” William turned from his friends to join his father so they could escort the ladies from the drawing room to the ballroom seating area.
The ballroom was humming with the sounds of voices and tuning violins. Sprigs of holly were tied with red ribbons to candelabras and banisters. Ladies in flouncing dresses with diamond-studded aigrettes fastened to their heads found their seats against the wall. They sipped champagne on the opposite side of the room from the men, eyeing them coyly, waiting for the first dance set of the evening.
William stood next to his father, chatting with a group of men about yacht racing, when he noticed Florence being escorted by her brother to the floor. He waited patiently for her to sit, and when he thought a reasonable amount of time had passed, excused himself and walked calmly across the floor to where she was seated.
Bill Napier stopped him mid-way. “That was quite a hunt today wasn’t it?”
“Brilliant.” William scowled, his eyes focused beyond Napier. Jack turned to see the object of his irritation. Charlie Arkwright, pencil in hand, was scrawling on Florence’s dance card.
“Did I prevent you from reaching my cousin in time to get on her dance card before Arkwright?” Napier chuckled.
They watched as Charlie flirted with Florence.
“Go, quickly. Before her card is full. She’d prefer to dance with you all night if she could. And I see I need to move quickly as well if I’m to have a dance with my maiden.” Napier clapped him on the back and headed off in the direction of his own quarry.
William bowed slightly in front of Florence.
“May I have the honor of your hand for the first set?” he said.
Florence blushed and handed William her card as the ladies around her giggled.
“Perhaps the second?” one of her companions said.
William took the small pencil to write his name in for at least two sets, realizing more might raise a brow. His jaw tightened slightly when he saw that Arkwright had already penciled in for the waltz, William’s favorite dance. He put his signature next to the Quadrille and Saratoga.
“I am earnestly anticipating our dance.” William bowed again and nodded to the tittering ladies. Although he knew it was rude not to sign one of their cards as well, he had no interest in dancing with any of the foolish girls.
After watching from the sidelines as Arkwright waltzed Florence around the dance floor, William had his turn. He approached the pair as Arkwright whispered something in her ear. Whatever it was, it must have been amusing because it caused Florence to blush and let out a pretty laugh that jingled in the air like small ringing bells.
“Excuse me, I believe it is my turn?” William interrupted them before Arkwright went any further with his flirtations. Florence stopped laughing and looked at William as if she had forgotten he was next in line for a dance. Her eyes, which matched the pale blue gown she was wearing, were sparkling from all the attention she was receiving.
“Yes of course,” she said, recovering herself. She tapped Arkwright’s arm with her small fan.
Arkwright smiled, bowed slightly in front of Florence and left them, grinning as if he had just won at a game of dice.
William took Florence in his arms and guided her to the dance floor as the musicians started playing the next dance. He held her in his arms as she fluttered around the floor. It took every ounce of restraint he had in him not to grasp her small waist too firmly while they danced.
“William, you are rather quiet tonight. Not your jovial self.” Florence locked eyes with his while they danced.
“I’m preoccupied by your beauty,” he said.
“Aren’t you charming.” She threw her head back, revealing her long, slender, neck and wisps of perspiration dampening her skin, giving off a delicious fragrance of lavender. When the dance was over he reluctantly led her to her seat.
“I haven’t been able to speak with you since our visit in London. When can we talk privately?” he asked.
“Don’t worry, William, we’ll have the chance to catch up over supper. Mrs. Locock has you escorting me to the table. I’m sure she’s put us near each other,” Florence whispered in his ear.
“That would be wonderful,” he said.
Ella was well aware her friends were gossiping behind their fans, irritated by the fact that she was monopolizing Basil Napier. She didn’t care. The Royal Navy was sending him to the Bay of Biscay in a few days and she had no idea when she would see him again.
During one of their last dances he steered her across the floor toward the terrace. They looked around to see who was watching and then dashed outside to sit on one of the benches overlooking the sea.
“Basil, there is something I must tell you,” Ella said.
“You have my full attention,” Basil said. “You’re shivering. Here, take my coat.” He took off his coat and placed it around her shoulders. They gazed at the full moon casting a sheen on the sea.
“My father told us that we are to return to America.” Ella searched his eyes to see what kind of reaction this would provoke. She wasn’t disappointed—he was crestfallen.
“So we’re both being sent off to sea?” he said.
“You know I would wait for you if I could. But he’s insisting we leave sometime this year. I don’t have all the details yet. With the holiday, we have not yet had time to discuss the particulars.”
“You’ll be back? It’s only temporary? Your home is here.”
Ella shook her head and then rested it on his shoulder. She didn’t care who might find them in this compromising position. “My home is with you, Basil. No matter where I go.”
Basil moved to take her hand in his just as his brother Bill came out to the terrace and found them. Ella quickly lifted her head off his shoulders.
“Basil, Doctor Durant is looking for Ella. He saw the two of you leave the dance floor. You should be more circumspect.”
“Thanks for the warning.” Basil sighed and gently lifted his coat off Ella’s shoulders.
As the family was riding back to their cottage from the ball Dr. Durant made his opinion of Basil Napier known. “He’s making advances because he believes you’re heir to a fortune. All the aristocrats here think they can lure an American heiress with their titles,” Dr. Durant said.
“Papa, please understand! Basil Napier isn’t luring me for my wealth. He has a position with the Royal Navy. Why would he need my money?”
“They all do around here. Don’t scoff at me, young lady. I see the advertisements in the Daily Telegraph: English peer looking for marriage to wealthy American lady who may purchase the rank of peeress for £40,000.”
“I hardly believe Basil is looking to sell anything in return for Ella’s wealth. He’s the youngest of the four brothers and last in line for the title,” William said.
“I know what I’m talking about. He’s after her money,” Dr. Durant said.
“I’m twenty years old. I think it’s time I consider a suitable marriage, and Basil Napier would suit me well.”
“I have to agree with Ella, Pet. The Napiers are a fine family,” Hannah said.
“Once Ella is back in the States we will find her a suitable American match, one that might benefit our family as well. No more discussion about it,” Dr. Durant said.