The Countess (1)

Days of dodging Lord Radcliffe kept me busy until it was time to meet with the Countess of Westmorland. Radcliffe's leering gaze made me uncomfortable and I refused to eat any meal at the same table as him.

Edward was a man who liked to make other's feel small next to him. He would corner me every chance he got and speak lecherous words to me. He played the role of a villain well. Grandmama was a shrewd woman and I had a feeling she knew that I was not some floozy.

I somehow convinced Grandmama to let Willa come with us to the Westmorland Estate and I was happy to have more than one person in my corner. I was wearing a simple white muslin dress and a light pink shawl, my hair was half up and down with a halo braid around my head. I kept my look as demure and innocent looking as possible. Before leaving I contemplated wearing the necklace Max got me but I decided against it. I instead went with a plain gold chain with a cross on it. When my sister saw me she laughed, she thought I looked like a church mouse.

The carriage ride over was smooth, Willa kept trying to make me laugh to help ease my nerves, it was not effective. Grandmama was annoyed at Willa's games and jokes, tense didn't begin to cover it.

"I can't let this day go wrong," I panicked. "I cannot marry Lord Radcliffe."

Willa grabbed my hand. "It will all work out just fine, have faith in your love for Max."

The hour-long journey passed relatively quickly and the Westmorland estate finally came into view, it was just as breathtaking as before.

To my surprise, Max was waiting outside the great double wooden doors like he had done when we went to tea two weeks before. My heart skipped a beat and I was smiling like an idiot at seeing him again. Going from seeing him every few days to not at all for a week was too much for me to bear.

He opened the carriage door and helped grandmama out first. "My lady, I am Maximilian St. Clair, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Max said as he bowed. "I presume you are Miss Brooks' grandmother?"

"You may call me Lady Agnes," Grandmama said curtly and offered her hand to him to kiss. Max took her hand gracefully and placed a small kiss on the back of it.

"Miss Brooks you look lovely as ever," Max said to Willa as he helped her out of the carriage next.

Willa smiled and nodded her greeting to him.

When Max helped me out he gathered me into his arms, I blushed at the sudden show of affection in front of my grandmama but hugged him tightly back.

"My Aurie," Max whispered to me. "How I have missed holding you in my arms."

"I missed you too, Max," I said with tears pricking my eyes. His face held so much tenderness and devotion that I couldn't help but cry.

"Ahem," grandmama said. "Don't dig the hole you two are in any deeper."

Max let go of me reluctantly and bowed to my grandmother.

"There has been a lot of rumors flying around and I aim to rectify the situation as quickly as possible," Max said seriously. "Come, my mother is waiting for you lovely ladies."

He guided us in the manor house and to a different sitting room than last time. This one was more feminine and looked like it was for exclusively women.

The pale blue curtains stood out against the soft white walls and the couches and chairs were a light purple color, occupying the center couch an older woman was sitting reading a book.

Euphemia St. Clair was an imposing-looking woman. Her black hair was pulled tightly back in an updo which made her face look more severe, however, her eyes were the same as Max's, deep blue and expressive.

"Mother, this is the dowager Viscountess, Lady Agnes Brooks, along with her granddaughters, Miss Wilhelmina Brooks, and the one I wish to marry, Miss Aurelia Brooks," Max announced.

The Countess lowered her book and nodded to us in respect.

"Ladies, this is my mother, Countess of Westmorland, Euphemia St. Clair." She gestured us to sit on the couch facing her and we all sat down, Grandmama to my left and Willa to my right.

"My son has told me all about you, Miss Brooks, he seems quite keen on making you his wife," Lady Euphemia murmured. "What I don't like however is this nasty rumor that is following you two around, Max dear, you can leave."

I gulped, I was surprised to see Max at all but I wanted him to stay now that he was here. I didn't want to face his mother without him. My heart pounded against my chest, my entire future rode on this severe woman's approval of me.