Free A Particular Circumstance by Shirley Smith Page B

Aurelia, that is, her one and only chick, in whom she had invested such time and emotional effort and money, of course. Aurelia was sure to please the most exacting gentleman. So Mrs Casterton bided her time and refused to see anything exceptional in his agreeing to attend the picnic. There would be many more invitations for him, especially in the lead up to Christmas, as the other mamas urged their darling daughters to set their caps at such a prize, and she was not going to allow Aurelia to appear to be too eager for a husband.
    Even Bertram Grayson had accepted an invitation. Although not riding with the other young people, he arrived exquisitely dressed in a very modish outfit and proceeded to devote himself entirely to Mrs Casterton.
    Bowing over her hand, he murmured, ‘Charmed, my dear ma’am. A most felicitous day for your outdoor venture. And the sun is set to shine on you and dear Miss Aurelia. So kind to invite an old fuddy-duddy like myself. I am sure I will enjoy being in such gay and youthful company.’
    He gave her the benefit of his most attractive smile, while seeming hardly to notice Aurelia’s existence. Mrs Casterton liked him on sight. No fortune hunter here, she decided to herself, nor fuddy-duddy either. Rather, a handsome, worldly wise but modest young man who was putting himself out to be civilized and obliging. She immediately entrusted dear Aurelia into his care while she hurried off to check the catering arrangements yet again. Aurelia didn’t seem inclined to ride just yet, so Bertram offered his arm with a polite bow and led her off on a decorous walk round the gardens.
    The other riders were all young and most of them were acquainted with each other already and all were looking forward to the afternoon picnic. All except for Kitty, that is, for as she and Charlotte had smilingly ridden together to meet Matthew, she’d caught sight of the curate, Andrew Preston. He was mounted on a fine chestnut mare and unlike the other young men of the party, who were in casual country nankeen jackets and breeches, he was dressed rather formally in his dark parson’s clothes. Matthew had also noticed him and swiftly positioned himself between Kitty and Andrew Preston, so that the curate’s view of her was obscured. In spite of her sweet nature, Kitty was not without her own strategies for dealing with her unwanted suitor and as he called ‘Good afternoon, ladies’ in his light tenor voice, she took the opportunity to spur her horse a little further away from him and she and Charlotte cantered round a little patch of scrubby trees, closely followed by Matthew King.
    ‘Mrs Casterton has said that we may ride where we will until three o’clock and then we shall meet back here again for a picnic,’ Kitty informed Matthew.
    He glanced towards Mr Preston, who did not appear to be lacking for female company, and said quietly, ‘Should you care to ride towards the park? I have never had the chance to explore the woods on the boundary of Mrs Casterton’s estate, where it joins Sir Benjamin’s land.’
    Both girls were eager. Charlotte knew that it was perfectly in order for her to wander with Matthew when accompanied by her sister and Kitty had no compunction at playing gooseberry if it meant avoiding Andrew Preston.
    They had a swift canter as far as the woods and then slowed to a walking pace as they followed the path in single file, ducking to avoid overhanging branches and enjoying the peace and the sweetness of the birdsong. All three of them were quiet as they arrived at the edge of Mrs Casterton’s parkland, which adjoined that of Sir Benjamin Westbury and was bounded by a narrow stream. To Charlotte’s surprise, they were not alone. There in front of them was Hugo Westbury’s great black horse, Gypsy, his long, glossy neck stretched low over the water. She froze as the hated Hugo came into view, walking at the side of Aurelia Casterton, who was on horseback, and her Uncle Bertram. Bringing up