Something Old, Rebecca Connolly [ebook reader for laptop TXT] 📗

little, but there was an undeniable musical quality to it.

Lily looked at him, a matching smile on her face. “Does it mean something?”

“I’m sure it does,” he replied with a laugh. “I’m just not sure what.”

She giggled for a moment before turning back to view the house. “Unless the interior of the house is filled with bats, rats, or cobwebs, I think we should take it.”

“Very well.”

“You don’t have a strong opinion?”

He shrugged, though she wouldn’t see it. “My strong opinion is that if you have a strong opinion, I would like to fulfill your wishes.”

Lily glanced over her shoulder, her smile gentle. “That’s very generous of you. Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“I don’t mind,” he assured her, amazed he could reply at all given how his heart pounded. “If the house makes you happy, we’ll take it. If you wish to look at the other house first, we will do it. The idea is for us both to be comfortable, and if either house does not meet that requirement, we will find other options.”

Her smile grew, rivaling the sun in its brilliance. “I am not accustomed to such a degree of freedom.”

One of his brows lifted. “Nor am I.”

“Is this an indication of how our lives might proceed from this time forward?” she asked, her dark eyes searching his with a severity that spoke volumes. “Free to do as we wish and pursue what makes us happy?”

Thomas paused, as any sane husband would, and sent up a silent prayer that her wishes and pursuit of happiness might not venture away from his own. “I hope so,” he said carefully. “Surely we ought to be permitted such freedoms, though a bit belated in doing so. Are we not?”

Lily’s chin dipped in a nod. “Certainly, we are. And away from the confines of the ton, we might be granted license to truly enjoy ourselves.”

“Heaven knows we haven’t done so there.”

They shared a smile, time seeming to pause while they did so. Lily noticed first and shifted to look out the window again. “The land is stunning. I’d heard of the beauties of Cornwall, but this is beyond what I imagined.”

“I believe Cornwall is beyond what many people imagine,” Thomas told her, still smiling, though his wife wouldn’t see. “One of the attractions to the place.”

He wasn’t sure if she heard him, so intent was her focus on the scenery. Not that it mattered, given his statement was irrelevant and paltry for what they were seeing. It was as though they had escaped England altogether and had entered a world all its own. Some enchanted place where time and space ceased to exist, and beauty had no comparison.

Fitting, then, that Lily should spend some time here.

The carriage pulled up to the house, stopping just before the long, gravel path to the entrance, and Thomas stepped out with an eager step, reaching a hand for Lily without thinking.

She took it, surprising him pleasantly, though she was entirely unaware of his hand at all as she took in the spectacle of the house.

“Pendrizzick,” she mused, seeming to try the name on her tongue. “I like it.”

He started moving them forward before she could think about releasing his hand, taking a moment to eye the grand edifice himself. It was a masterful construction, its architecture highlighting the passing years and styles with great efficacy. He would not venture to call it a relic, as the windows glistened with a bright cleanliness that spoke of meticulous care.

No matter how overgrown the grounds might appear, the house itself was anything but. And upon closer inspection, even the ivy creeping along the facade was well-manicured.

Part of the intended ambiance, then. Intriguing.

They had nearly reached the great, dark, wooden door when it swung open wide. A tall and fair-haired footman, without powdered wig, in plain livery greeted them. “Good morning. Might I have the pleasure of addressing Mr. and Mrs. Granger?”

“You have,” Thomas replied with a pleasant smile. “You are expecting us?”

The footman nodded. “Mr. Morgan, the steward, informed us you’d be coming by to see the place. If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to Mrs. Penrose, the housekeeper.” He stepped back, inclining his head and inviting them in.

Thomas led Lily in, removing his hat and gloves as he entered. “Is the butler in residence, or has he gone with the family?”

“Mr. Griggs has gone with the family, sir,” came the reply in a decidedly formal tone. “My name is George, interim butler and head footman.”

“And how do you like being interim butler, George?” Thomas asked, giving the lad what he hoped was an encouraging smile.

One pale brow rose. “In truth, sir, I’ve no ambition to be a butler and find no satisfaction in the tasks now falling to my purview. I greatly look forward to returning to my duties as a footman alone.”

Lily turned to face him with a curious smile. “You don’t wish to be a butler? Then what would you consider your ambition? You can trust us, we’ve no opinions on the subject.”

George smiled hesitantly. “I hope to someday be a steward, madam. I was being trained up as an apprentice to a groundskeeper before I was brought indoors.”

Thomas nodded in thought. “That additional experience of the inner workings of the house itself should give you some valuable insight in that pursuit. I applaud you, George.”

True to the unwritten, expected conduct of a footman, George only nodded and continued on his intended path, leading them farther into the house. Thomas found himself examining the interior of the house, marveling at the plasterwork above him and the exquisite details sculpted there. Recessed arches in the entryway and leading into the corridors on all sides lent an air of grandeur to the place, the strapwork ceiling accompanied by scrolls and leaves, the occasional brambles appearing there as well.

He had to smile at the sight. Brambles without, brambles within. There was something charming about that.

“Ah, thank you, George,” a trim woman with a warm countenance said as