Free Enchanted Summer: (Regency Romance) by Gloria Gay Page A

“It’s usually just one or two colors. But this is so unusual!”
    “I think so, too, and I’m glad you agree with me. I have come here with others on occasion, groups of people that have come as houseguests. Yet never have I seen the reaction to the meadow that you had, which mirrors mine when I first saw it as a child, for it grows in the same way year after year. There is a larger meadow used for hunting closer to the edge of the woods, so this small meadow is left in peace when I hunt with my friends.”
    “You’re fortunate that such a place of beauty belongs to your family,” Celia replied.
    He agreed and then added, “I brought a lunch, Miss Meade.” From a bush he removed a covered basket and brought it to where Celia sat on the soft new grass. “I hope you will share it with me.”
    He opened the top of the basket, took out a cloth and spread it on the grass.
    There was a bottle of burgundy, sandwiches and glasses, as well as slices of peach cobbler and cream. There was also a meaty bone for Ready.
    The next hour was the happiest Celia could remember in all her life.
    But after a while she became a little apprehensive. She had spent a lot of time in the woods, and even though she knew Bella and her mother were absorbed with their new clothing, she knew how her mother worried if she wasn’t around where she could see her.
    Celia was her mother’s anchor to the world, without which she would bob around aimlessly, and well she knew it, however much she scolded Celia for her painting.
    She and Lord Merrick said their good-byes and Celia could see how reluctantly Lord Merrick let go of her hand but not without first kissing it.
    As she crossed the gravel driveway, Celia saw a carriage arriving and went to greet Uncle Worth, who was returning from Bath.
    “Oh, dear Uncle,” said Celia, “thank you so much. Your house and the grounds are wonderful.”
    “Good, good,” said Worth. He looked exceedingly pleased as he pressed Celia’s hand. Then he glanced furtively at the windows of the house and a frown crossed his brow. Celia followed his gaze and saw that Caroline stood at one of the second floor long windows and was staring down at them.
    Uncle Worth must be afraid Caroline might witness their affectionate greeting. Celia was certain that allowing the Meades to live at Rook’s end had caused him a lot of strife with his children. She could see it in the haggard look on his face. He was not a man made for confrontation, and it must be a great strain on him to oppose his family in order to help the Meades.
    The following morning they had a visit from Lord Shelton’s daughters. A fire was lit in a small parlor that adjoined the dining-room. Caroline and Sylvia as well as the Meade ladies visited for an hour with them.
    Lady Ellen had come to invite everyone to a small dinner at Shelton Hall two days hence. Julia and Caroline talked by themselves while her younger sisters, Mary and Sally, chatted with Margaretta and Bella.
    Lady Ellen came to sit by Celia and they chatted about the Meades’ impressions of their new address.
    Finally, Ellen, as she had asked Celia to call her, asked Celia to show her some of her paintings and Celia directed her to her rooms upstairs.
    “I do hope we shall become friends,” said Ellen, as they walked up the stairs. She reached impulsively for Celia’s hand, pressing it in friendship.
    “I hope so too,” said Celia and she told her of her walk the day before in the woods. However, she was too shy to mention the picnic with Robert.
    “You’re welcome to walk in our woods whenever you want,” said Ellen, anticipating the request. “I’ll tell our gamekeeper. My brother Robert is always too busy with work to go hunting. Here we are,” she said, as they reached the door, “I warrant you, it’s nothing to be too proud of. I need painting lessons from a real master. What I have is not—”
    “Oh, this watercolor,” said Ellen, “it’s lovely!”
    “I’m so glad