Page 35 of Aurelia

Chapter 7

Aurelia’s second evening at Castle Crewe was far less eventful than the first, but still a tense affair with his lordship doing most of the talking during dinner. Arthur seemed preoccupied with something and Lady Celsa spent most of the meal glaring at Aurelia every time Lord Crewe directed a question or comment at her. Which was most of the time.

Not until they were almost finished eating did the earl directly address his daughter. “You must show Miss Burton your boat tomorrow if the weather is nice and give her a rowing lesson, Celsa.”

The girl looked as if she’d just been condemned to a few hours on the ducking stool.

“Of course, father.” She cut a surly glance at Aurelia. “Mornings are best as the wind often picks up in the afternoon. My lessons start at nine, so it will have to be early. Very early,” she added, as if that might rule out Aurelia’s acceptance.

“I will be ready.”

Celsa grunted at that and then turned to her father. “May we take horses to the cove, Papa?” she asked, a wheedle in her tone.

Lord Crewe fixed his daughter with a long, brooding stare and the girl’s cheeks darkened. “Yes, you may. But for the rowing lessons with Miss Burton, only.”

The girl’s transformation was startling. “Thank you, Papa!” She cut Aurelia a far friendlier look and said, “Seven o’clock in the stables.”

“I will be there.”

***

“I’m glad you are on time,” Lady Celsa all but snarled the following morning when Aurelia showed up at the stables. “Silas said you rode Black Prince before, so they are saddling him for you again.”

“Thank you,” Aurelia murmured.

That was the last conversation they had until they were both in the saddle.

“I am only doing this so I can ride,” Lady Celsa said after five minutes of silence.

“I’d assumed as much,” Aurelia said dryly.

Celsa cut her a startled look, as if she’d expected Aurelia to be hurt.

A few moments later, she said, “I daresay you don’t know anything at all about boats.”

“Not much,” Aurelia agreed cheerfully.

“Hmmph.” Celsa led her south, toward the small island she’d seen yesterday—Nesta’s Perch.

Their horses picked their way slowly but confidently down a steep path that ran along the cliff. Not until they were almost at the bottom did Aurelia see there was a tiny cove. High up on the beach was a rowboat with the name Island Sylph painted on the side.

They dismounted and loosened the girths on their horses’ saddles before leaving them free to wander. There wasn’t more than a spot of land with sand and rocks, a bit of sea grass, and a rill running down the cliff that flowed into a rock pool. The horses, obviously familiar with the place, sauntered to the pool and drank.

“First off, you always check your skiff before you go out,” Lady Celsa said, using a tone of voice more suited to army sergeants drilling their troops. “Obviously, you want to make sure there are two oars and an anchor.” There were three bench seats and Celsa lifted the top of one, which was hinged for storage. Beneath it was a small anchor and coil of rope.

Aurelia nodded.

“Help me push this into the water,” Lady Celsa ordered. The boat moved easily over the sand and when it reached the water the girl said, “You hop in now.”

Aurelia did so and Celsa hiked up her skirt exposing tarred boots like the kind fishermen wore. She pushed the boat out a bit further and then deftly pulled herself into the boat.

“You sit in the middle and show me what you know,” Celsa ordered as the current caught the skiff and began to pull it back to shore.

The next ten minutes were comprised of Aurelia rowing and Celsa alternately barking orders and criticizing Aurelia’s efforts.

“Here, you do it and I will watch,” Aurelia said when it was clear the girl was getting far too much enjoyment from upbraiding an adult.

Celsa looked like she wanted to argue but was clearly too eager to show off her superior skills. She quickly scrambled to the middle seat and took up the oars. “Watch how smoothly I pull—not choppy and jerky as you were doing.”