Owen picked a few more dandelions. “I’m not sure you’re the best man to be giving me advice since ‘hard to say’ isn’t exactly helpful, and besides that, you seem to have some unresolved issues of your own.”
Edward handed Owen a handful of dandelions and smiled. “You might have a point, which is why I think it might be beneficial if both of us seek out people who can give us some sage advice. In this particular case, I’m going to seek out my father, but I’m going to suggest you seek the advice of a man who knows Camilla—that being Leopold Pendleton, of course.”
Thirty minutes later, after Owen got George settled with a bucket of oats in his stall, he headed for the backyard in search of Leopold, who was probably going to be more than amused when Owen set about asking that gentleman for some advice that was, indeed, going to revolve around kissing.
He came to a stop when he rounded the corner of the house, taking a second to allow his gaze to take in the scene in front of him.
Normally, when the family gathered, tables constructed from planks of wood and resting on sawhorses was as fancy as it got, but evidently Mr. Timken, Luella, and Camilla had had other ideas.
Yes, the long tables that were placed over a recently mown lawn were still sitting on sawhorses, but he couldn’t tell if the tops were planks of wood because they were draped in white linen and the tables were set with lilac-colored dishes, everything matching, including the lilac flowers someone had placed every few feet as centerpieces.
Chairs, all of them matching as well, marched down both sides of the tables, and resting beside each plate was one knife, one spoon, and two forks, compliments of Mr. Timken, no doubt, who’d obviously realized that some of the Chesterfield relations wouldn’t be comfortable sitting down to a formal dining setting.
“Camilla, Luella, and Mr. Timken certainly know their way around organizing a good party,” Leopold said, ambling up to join him and sparing Owen the bother of tracking him down. “And your relatives who’ve taken over the kitchen certainly know how to fashion a fine meal.”
“They do indeed, but before everyone arrives for the family reunion, I was wondering if you might have a moment to speak privately with me.”
Leopold’s eyes began to twinkle. “Have you been thinking up new rules to give me concerning your grandmother?”
“No, but I’m sure a few will come to me over the next day or so.” He drew in a breath. “What I really wanted to speak with you about is ... Camilla.”
Before Leopold could do more than smile, and rather smugly at that, Camilla walked into view, dressed in a charming gown of some shade of pink, the apron Meemaw had given her tied around her waist.
As soon as she reached the center of the lawn, where she’d arranged games for the younger set, children streamed out to join her, all of them expecting hugs and a few of them leaving behind evidence on her apron that chocolate ice cream had already been pilfered from the kitchen, which suggested that Meemaw, even with her attempt at additional shenanigans, had evidently knownCamilla would find herself the object of children and their messy hands and had provided her with a barrier for her lovely gown.
Not that Camilla seemed particularly concerned these days about dirt, but ... still.
“Given the way you’re watching Camilla,” Leopold began, “perhaps I should be shadowing you as you threatened to do with Charles, although . . .” He leaned closer. “In all honesty, if you’re thinking about stealing any kisses, know that I wholeheartedly approve, and even if I were to happen upon you at what you’d consider an inopportune moment, I certainly wouldn’t interrupt because if you’ve yet to figure this out, your meemaw is quite correct in that Camilla is perfect for you in every way.”
Owen, especially after almost enjoying a romantic interlude with Camilla earlier, found he couldn’t disagree with that.
Before he could contemplate the thought further, though, Leopold gave him a clap on the back. “Now, son, all that’s left for you to discern is whether Camilla’s figured out how well-suited the two of you are for each other, and if she hasn’t, then you’re going to need to figure out how to convince her that you’re rather perfect for her as well.”
Twenty-Seven
During the days that led up to the ball, and after the Chesterfield family reunion, which everyone had deemed a great success, Camilla had found herself barely having a moment to breathe, what with all the last-minute details needing to be addressed before Luella made her grand debut at the ball everyone of social prominence in Wheeling would be attending.
Final fittings were in progress for all the clothing Luella had purchased at Stone and Thomas, along with the ball gown from Worth Camilla had given her, Luella actually standing still for those fittings, but probably only because Charles had insisted on keeping her company. He’d taken to reading out loud from a book on horticulture they both apparently found riveting, although that particular book had put Camilla straight to sleep.
They’d evidently seen that as a prime opportunity because, when she’d woken up, the room had been empty, prompting her to track down Charles and Luella, finding them on the back patio, where they’d definitely been getting somewhat ... cozy.
Besides tracking Charles and Luella down—and more than a few times—she’d had to schedule extra quadrille practices after Sally Murchendorfer almost had a fit of the vapors when she’dmissed a few steps during one session, declaring with tears running down her face that she simply wouldn’t be ready in time for the ball. Her tears had instantly dried up, though, after Luella volunteered to give her some one-on-one instruction.
Stanley, who’d been spending his time during their lessons watching Luella far more than Charles would’ve liked, had then stepped forward, offering himself up as Sally’s partner, to which Luella had coolly replied that having him there would defeat the point of Sally getting one-on-one attention from her.
The room had grown silent as Stanley had merely stared at Luella for a long moment before he’d drawn in a deep breath and then told her that he’d been thinking about his past behavior of late, and that he truly was sorry for ever having assumed the role of complete and utter cad.
To give Luella credit, she’d not voiced agreement to that, which suggested the etiquette lessons had sunk in, but instead, had merely inclined her head, although she didn’t change her mind about his offer of assistance, something that left Stanley looking rather resigned and Charles rather amused.
“I must say, I do believe the Chesterfields are going to make quite the showing this evening,” Elma said, walking with Lottie across the parlor of the Chesterfield house on Wheeling Island, Hester nowhere in sight because Elma had given her companion a week off to visit family.
Her generosity hadn’t left Elma willing to completely fend for herself, though, because she’d managed to get Lottie to keep her company and come read to her every day, stating that Camilla could certainly spare her companion for a week since it wasn’t as if Camilla needed Lottie to read to her as she didn’t suffer from poor eyesight, nor did she need her company because Camilla was always surrounded by people.
When presented with an argument like that, Camilla hadn’t felt compelled to argue. Besides, she knew Lottie wouldn’t be in her employ long—not when her companion had recently madethe decision to pursue a position at one of the Wheeling schools and didn’t try to hide the fact that she and Edward had managed to resolve their “issues,” as Lottie called them, and were now in the midst of a very charming courtship.
“I see you finally relented and allowed Bernadette to have a go at your hair,” Beulah said, nodding to Elma as she strolled into the room, settling a silk wrap overtop an evening gown from Worth, one of three Camilla had brought with her, and one that was a lovely shade of blue and had been altered by Bernadette, who’d been more than busy of late.
“I didn’t want the poor girl thinkin’ I was doubtin’ her abilities by avoidin’ her,” Elma said, releasing a whistle a second later when Luella glided into the room, looking resplendent in the gown Camilla had given her—a lovely bow-free confection of ivory silk that fit her like a glove and would surely make a splash once they reached Mr. Fulton’s paddle steamer.