It was not so long into the next morning when Rose, sitting down for her breakfast, found herself in the possession of an invitation to tea from Miss Noble.
"Her script is so elegant, is it not?" her mother said upon having read the letter thrice and was beginning for the fourth time.
"'Mr. Saxon and Mr. Smith will be out riding,'" she quoted, "'and shall scarcely have time for our little meeting, when they have horses to saddle and worlds to save.' That is regrettable, I did enjoy Mr. Saxon so very much. Was he not pleasant, my dear? But Mr. Smith—if he were not so rich, I do not think that I should have even one reason to like him."
"Mamma—" Rose began.
"And I shall have Debra call on the Joneses that we might borrow their carriage for you."
"Mamma—"
"For we have little use for our own carriage, my dear, but it is in moments such as these that I dearly wish I had not sold your father's—"
"Mamma, I would walk—it is not two miles and the road is sound."
It was settled then, after much protest from Mrs. Tyler, that Rose should walk, for it would be unseemly to arrive in the equipage of the Joneses, which, Rose suggested, might lead Mr. Smith right into the arms of dear Martha, a portent she knew her mother would think so evil that she would have to agree that the weather was find and suited for walking.
::
"My dear Miss Tyler, how good of you to come all this way to see me," Miss Noble told her new companion upon her arrival to Tardishire Hall.
The two new friends greeted each other with all amiability, and Rose found that even given Miss Noble's condemnation the previous evening on the shortcomings of the country and its inferior hat selection, the lady had a certain affability in her composure and civility.
"This is a fine house," said Rose, thinking that the spaciousness of the place made it seem even bigger than anyone might have imagined it to be from its outside.
"It certainly is a pleasure to manage," Miss Noble replied.
"You are the mistress of this house?"
It came to pass that Miss Noble was indeed the mistress of her custodian's home, as the master of Tardishire Hall was often preoccupied with small matters better left to workmen and servants than to be bothered with the maintenance of such a grand estate.
"An odd sort of gentleman," thought Rose, "to be so aloof in the company of his peers, and so at ease fixing leaks and masonry."
She had never before been so perplexed by a person she had known for so short a time or had spoken to so little.
"And Mr. Saxon?" she asked.
"They have been friends since their school days. They have had their disagreements, to be sure, but I am convinced they shall never be truly or lastingly parted."
It was then as the ladies at last to their tea, that they found themselves in the company of the aforementioned gentlemen coming in from riding.
"Miss Tyler!" exclaimed Mr. Saxon, the gentleman passing his hat and crop to his man. "Such a pleasant surprise. I did not know, my dear Donna, that you had intended to invite our new acquaintance, or I am sure that I would not have made myself busy by riding."
"I assure you, sir, that no harm was done. I hope your ride was enjoyable?" the young lady inquired.
"Excellent, in fact! Though Mr. Smith continues to outride us all."
Rose looked over to the master of Tardishire Hall. He wore a hard expression, his jaw tight—it scarcely looked like he enjoyed his ride at all.
"Miss Noble has been so kind, Mr. Smith, to welcome me into your home. I hope you will take to the country, for my mother tells me that the country has greatly taken to you, even if you do not dance at balls."
Mr. Smith, turning his head to the speaker, gave little inclination as to his opinion of her assessment, though she thought perhaps he might have smiled very slightly and in his own way, though she could not be certain, as it may have been a trick of the afternoon light.
"Shall we join you?" asked Mr. Saxon.
"If you promise to talk of more than your business in town. I have not yet stopped dreaming of Grosvenor's Square, even if Miss Tyler has proven to be excellent company.
The gentlemen then made their way upstairs to change from their riding clothes, and the ladies continued int the drawing room.
"Do not think I mean for you to leave at the designated time, Miss Tyler," she said. "I mean for you to dine with us, if your mother will permit it."
"I daresay my mother will be more than happy to oblige, though I should send word."
With haste a man was sent to Powell Estate that the friends might spend more time being acquainted as neighbors.
"I must ask, Miss Noble, and pray, do not think me insensitive, but how exactly was it that you became acquainted with Mr. Smith?"
"His uncle on his mother's side was my grandfather, Wilfred Mott. When he fell ill and died, my custody passed to Mr. Smith, though he and I are scarcely five years apart, and he is hardly any longer my legal guardian."
"You lived abroad with him?"
"I was the one who convinced him to come back. After having lived so long in London with my father, I regretted having to live on the continent. He agreed to return to the country, but would have nothing of town."
The gentlemen arrived in the drawing room and took tea with the ladies.
"I am sorry that my friend was not so obliging yesterday evening," Mr. Saxon said.
"I am not offended," Rose replied. "Indeed, I do not blame him. Our little village must seem horribly dull and unimportant compared to the sites abroad. I, too, might not wish to dance with a living soul if I had visions of strange lands playing in my head."
"The lady quizzes you, sir, and with conviction. My lady," Mr. Saxon said, laughing, "I have never met anyone better suited for the job of doing so."
Mr. Smith turned towards her. "It is not that I am preoccupied with fantastical worlds, Miss Tyler. You mistake me. I have not recently found occasion for dancing. It has been some time since I have attended such a…gathering."
"Do not act as though your exile was not self-imposed, Mr. Smith," Miss Noble chided.
"Have you ever been abroad, Miss Tyler?" Mr. Smith asked, turning once again in her direction.
"Indeed, I have not had the opportunity. I have been to London several times, as my mother enjoys the shops in the Spring. And I have seen the Channel with my father before he died, but I have not been lucky enough to cross it."
"I believe you would enjoy Barcelona," he returned.
"Barcelona?"
"In Spain. There is a great love of dancing there."
Rose was not sure how to respond to his assertion, whether or not it was meant to vex, but was saved from further thought on the matter my the interjection of Mr. Saxon, who commented to Miss Noble about the fairness of the property, and several ideas for improving the lie of its edges, if she might allow him the privilege of carrying them out.
The former gentleman remained largely quiet for the remainder of the evening, commenting briefly when a question was directed his way, or during dinner, complementing the cooking when appropriate, but upon leaving Tardishire Hall, Rose still found herself undecided as to the man's character, when it seemed he was so determined that it should remain a mystery to everyone.
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