Sussex Summer by Lucy Muir Page B

Lord Staplefield. The earl, seated directly across from Edward, had apparently noticed his agitation.
    "I believe it is a common enough failing for one to blame another for one's own mistakes. Sir John makes a good scapegoat since he is no longer alive to defend himself," the earl commented diplomatically.
    Lord Staplefield’s comment gave Edward time to master his emotions, and he replied politely but firmly.
    "Yes. I agree, Lord Staplefield. In my experiences serving under Sir John, he always made the best decisions possible under the conditions. I hold his memory in the greatest respect."
    The squire and Lord Archer looked dubious, but to press the subject when they saw Edward was prepared to defend his former commander would have been in bad taste, and they said no more.
    Lord Tremaine changed the subject and Jane relaxed and helped herself to the dish of  salmon which Christopher had passed to her. She then placed it before Edward, who took some with a grateful smile as conversation returned to more congenial subjects.
    Jane kept an eye on Fanny to see how she was coping with her first night back in society, and was amused to notice that the attention Fanny was receiving from the earl was causing Jamie to become competitive. Seeing the woman he had rejected admired by others evidently made Jamie wonder if he had been precipitate in ending the betrothal. He quite exerted himself to be charming. Jane noted that Fanny responded graciously, since the other guests presumed she and Jamie were still betrothed, but Jane was also relieved to see that Fanny was cautious. She would not wish her sister to become enamoured of young Jamie Tremaine again.
    After the fruit was served, Lady Tremaine rose and the women retired to the drawing room. Marianne Archer again attached herself to Fanny, and Jane talked quietly to the vicar's wife, Elizabeth, about parish matters. She soon noticed, however, that Fanny was beginning to tire, and soon after they were rejoined by the men she signaled to her father that they should leave. Mr. Hampton and Jane made their excuses to Lady Tremaine, and the three left.
    Fanny relaxed into the soft squabs of the Tremaines' carriage on the drive back and sighed. "The night was not as difficult as I feared it would be," she admitted.
    "Things rarely are," Mr. Hampton commented mildly. He had been concerned about his younger daughter, but saw now that she would be fine and he could go back to his books without undue distress.
    "The new earl quite singled you out for attention," Jane added. "I was surprised to see how young he is. He does not seem to object to the terms of the will at all. I wonder if he will continue the custom of the August masquerade?"
    "I predict that he will," Fanny said. "I thought Lord Staplefield looked quite elegant in his clothing. More so than some dressed in modish styles."
    Jane looked sharply at Fanny. The earl had evidently made an impression on her sister, as well. She hoped Fanny would not lose her heart again too soon, although it was good to know that Fanny was not pining after Jamie.
    * * * *
    The day after the dinner Jane knew that they would be welcomed back into society with open arms. Lady Archer and Marianne called in the early afternoon, as did Mrs. Fairchild and Captain Tremaine. For once the captain did not stay long, and Jane could see he was preoccupied. She wished she could speak to him in privacy and learn what was troubling him, but the presence of so many other callers prevented it. Nor could she leave her guests to accompany Edward outside when he left, as had become their custom after his calls. She hoped he would call earlier the next morning, and give her the chance to learn what was distressing him.
    Late afternoon brought several more callers, including, to Jane’s surprise, Jamie and Christopher. Fanny, although she did not appear particularly pleased to see her supposed fiancé, did not seem to be upset by his call either, and Jane felt with relief