Loveswept Read online

  “Why, that’s fine,” Father agreed. “I didn’t know you were interested in athletics, Mr. Kingsley.”

  “I’m afraid my interest far exceeds my skill,” Averil answered.

  “Now, I’ll bet you’re just being modest,” Father protested.

  Cecily didn’t mind that the male members of their party obsessed about their own topic. She was just glad Averil was part of their band, walking beside her as though he belonged right there.

  As the men talked and Mother pretended to listen, Augusta tugged on Cecily’s sleeve. “What do you think Mother would say if I invited Norman to dinner next week?” she whispered.

  “The new boy? The one with dark hair?”

  “That’s the one.”

  Cecily shook her head. “I can’t believe you’ve developed a new crush already.”

  “Not really.” Augusta shrugged. “I just think he’s handsome, that’s all.”

  Mother interrupted. “What are you two girls whispering about?”

  “Nothing,” they answered in unison.

  Mother cut her glance to them, a sure sign she doubted the truth behind their words.

  “I recommend that you proceed slowly,” Cecily whispered as they reached the edge of their front lawn. “I’m having enough trouble as it is.”

  ❧

  Cecily was sorry to see the end of dinner arrive. Before she realized what had happened, the meal had flown by, with lively conversation filling the air in nonstop pleasantness. The clock gonged to announce two hours past noon as they made their way to the foyer.

  “Well, it was mighty pleasurable to have you join us for dinner, Mr. Kingsley,” Father observed.

  “And a delicious meal it was. Everything that Miss Eaton promised and more. The creamed potatoes were just as you promised. Truly the best I’ve ever tasted. Not to mention the exquisite coconut cake. She hadn’t even told me how delectable it would be!”

  “I had to save something for a surprise,” Cecily joked.

  “You succeeded. And the company was even finer.” Averil shot a meaningful look at Cecily and then directly at Mother.

  “And to think, only a short time ago, you were just another door-to-door salesman, asking us to buy a carpet renovator,” Mother noted. “How fortunate for us that you will be staying in the city. I do believe you alluded to the possibility during the meal?”

  “He did,” Father agreed. “I’m afraid we digressed before he could fill us in completely.”

  “That is quite all right. I am the one who is fortunate to be staying in the city,” Averil answered. “I must admit, I was skating on thin ice when I first arrived here. I was sent here to test the waters, to see how our carpet renovator would sell in this region. I’m pleased to report that sales have been brisk. So brisk, in fact, that I just received word yesterday that the plans are moving full-steam ahead. I’ll be setting up a new office. Richmond will be company headquarters for the Mid-Atlantic Region.”

  Cecily gasped. Her hand flew to her open mouth. “Really? Mr. Kingsley, that’s wonderful!”

  “Wonderful, indeed.” Averil looked into Cecily’s eyes. “I have you to thank, at least in part.”

  “Not really.” She sent her gaze to the Oriental rug that had once nearly been the demise of the Capital Duster’s success.

  “Of course I must thank you. First, you, Mrs. Eaton,” he said, turning his attention to Mother, “for buying a machine from me.”

  “That is quite all right. I’m sure I’ll be quite pleased with my renovator.”

  “I hope so.” A sheepish look crossed his countenance. “I’m afraid I have some bad news. Because of the increase in sales, the delivery of your renovator will be delayed.”

  “Not too long, I hope.”

  “Only by a week or so. I hope this won’t inconvenience you too much.”

  “I suppose not,” Mrs. Eaton said, though doubt clouded her voice.

  “That really is good news for your company, though,” Cecily observed. “Isn’t it? I mean, for sales to be so vigorous.”

  He nodded. “Indeed. I must thank you, Miss Eaton, for helping me get off to an auspicious start here. I suppose I can tell you now, I was a bit worried Mrs. MacGregor would complain to her friends and spoil my chances of selling another machine within a hundred miles of here. But you straightened all of that out. And now that I’ve sold so many carpet renovators since my arrival, the company thinks the move to establish a regional office here is justified.”

  “So you’ll be staying indefinitely.” Cecily knew her voice betrayed her excitement. She cast her gaze to the bouquet of spring flowers on the hall table and made a show of adjusting an errant bloom in hopes of mitigating the delight she knew she must be emanating.

  “Yes,” he confirmed.

  Cecily looked into his handsome face, doing her best not to smile too widely. Averil’s sparkling eyes indicated the prospect was not displeasing to him—or at least she hoped so.

  “I trust your move means a hefty promotion for you?” Father inquired.

  “Um, you could say that.” He nodded.

  “My most hearty congratulations, my boy.” Father slapped him on the back. “Well, now, I’m sure we’ll be seeing you again soon. That would be a fine thing.”

  “Fine, indeed,” Averil agreed.

  Cecily wasn’t ready to bid him a good afternoon. “The outdoors seems inviting. I do believe I would like to sit on the porch swing for a few moments.”

  Mother raised an eyebrow. “Only for a few moments.”

  Relieved to have gained permission, Cecily followed Averil onto the porch. “The spring air is so pleasant. I just had to get out of the house.”

  “Yes, spring is a lovely time of year. I look forward to a brisk promenade home.” He paused.

  Cecily’s heart beat faster with a sudden feeling of nervousness. “I’m so glad you’ll be escorting me to the Celebration of Spring,” she managed to utter.

  “As am I.” He waited.

  Cecily was grateful that he apparently could see she had something to say. She took in a breath. “I need to tell you a secret,” she said in a low voice in case Mother was eavesdropping. “Promise you won’t tell?”

  “I would never betray a lady’s confidence.” He kept his voice just above a whisper.

  She darted her eyes back and forth before speaking. After deciding that no one was within hearing range, she said, “My box. It will be green with three lilies on top.”

  “Your box?”

  “You don’t know?” This was going to be harder than she expected. Was she in the process of making a fool of herself?

  “Know what?”

  She studied his face to see if he were toying with her. His oblique look told her he had no inkling what she meant. “My box lunch. All the unmarried ladies make them, and the bachelors bid on them.” Feeling herself blush, she examined the small ruby stone on her right ring finger as though she had never seen it before. She dug her heel into the floor of the verandah.

  “That sounds like a charming custom,” he proclaimed in a gentle tone.

  She kept her gaze on the ruby. “I–I suppose I’m being too bold to say anything. You don’t have to bid on it if you don’t want to.”

  “Why, I wouldn’t think of bidding on anyone else’s.”

  Cecily looked into his ebony eyes, eyes that reminded her of obsidian, only not so cold and hard. His promise left her feeling more excited about the Celebration of Spring. As waves of joy washed over her, Cecily realized she felt more anticipation about the celebration than she had felt about anything else in a long time.

  Eight

  Averil could hardly contain his excitement as he drove his new buggy past the gate of the boys’ school, with the most beautiful young woman he had ever known sitting by his side. He had looked forward to the celebration as soon as Cecily’s parents had agreed to allow him to be her escort, but the reality of being so near to Cecily on such a festive day didn’t register with him until she wa
s sitting beside him in the open-air buggy. He wished he could detour all through the city—and not to show everyone the company name imprinted on both sides of his buggy. He wished he could show everyone who was anyone that the prettiest girl in the state of Virginia was riding with him—Averil Kingsley—to the Celebration of Spring.

  He managed to contain himself, but made sure to sneak a sideways peek at the vision perched beside him. “My, but I do believe this lovely day pales in comparison to your beauty, Miss Eaton,” he ventured. “If I may be so bold.”

  She let out a delightfully melodic giggle, then smoothed her skirt even though the fabric wasn’t wrinkled in the least. “Mr. Kingsley, how you do talk!”

  Making sure not to keep his eyes off the road for too many moments at a time, Averil studied her with his peripheral vision. Dressed in pure white in anticipation of the Maypole dance, Cecily wore a hat with an exceedingly large brim that framed her face to perfection. The hat boasted an abundance of silk roses. Averil wondered why Cecily’s head didn’t tip forward from the weight, but contrary to the laws of gravity, she kept her head upright and her gaze level. She carried a matching white parasol as extra insurance to protect her creamy complexion from the sun’s harsh rays.

  Riding along in the buggy, he realized he was much less conscious than usual of the fact that she towered over him. With the fashions of styling their hair in billowing chignons, wearing large hats, and holding parasols, only the tallest man accompanying the most diminutive woman could hope to sit higher than his female companion. Nevertheless, he remembered the numerous occasions where Cecily shared conversations with him while they both stood, forcing her to look downward into his face. She never seemed to notice and certainly was never vexed. For her consideration, he was grateful.

  “A penny for your thoughts, Mr. Kingsley.”

  He didn’t mind his pensive mood being interrupted by such a sweet voice. “I doubt my thoughts are worth that much.”

  “I’m sure mine aren’t.”

  “I’ll venture a guess that any thought that runs through your pretty head is worth at least that much. Maybe even double.” He paused, waiting for her to respond.

  Instead, she looked around the school play yard. Catching the gaze of another woman who seemed to be about her age, Cecily waved a gloved hand. The woman smiled and waved in return. Averil wondered if the friend noticed that Cecily was riding with someone new. If she did, the woman showed no signs of curiosity. Averil couldn’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment that no one seemed to think it out of the ordinary that he was escorting Cecily.

  “I was just thinking how much I agree with you that this is a perfectly fine day, Mr. Kingsley,” she finally said. She looked up at the blue sky. “A perfectly fine day indeed.”

  The festivities had been due to begin fifteen minutes before they arrived. Judging from the frivolous mood enveloping the campus, the party was in full swing. Cecily was expected to line up for the Maypole dance just before lunch, and Averil had no desire to bear the responsibility for any tardiness on Cecily’s part. He heaved a sigh of relief when he spotted one last hitching post vacant. He drew the carriage up to it, and after he helped Cecily disembark, Averil tapped his foot in rhythm with the lively band music as he hitched his horse.

  “I do so like this tune.” Cecily swayed back and forth, ever so slightly, in time to the rhythm.

  “Yet another thing on which you and I are in hearty agreement.”

  Knowing Cecily wouldn’t mind, he paused for a moment to stroke General on the side of the neck. General’s nondescript brown coat and gray eyes caused him to fade into the background among brilliant white steeds or black Arabian mares, but General was gentle and willing to take Averil—and his guest—wherever he wanted to go. That’s all he asked. Averil took a moment to move his hand from the horse’s scruffy neck to the long hairs of his dark brown mane. The hair felt smooth and tangle-free since the stable boy had just brushed him that morning. Averil pulled an apple out of his pocket and fed it to the faithful animal. General snorted his gratitude. Now that Averil’s business was scheduled to expand, he’d be relying on General more than ever.

  At that moment, he realized he had perhaps kept Cecily waiting too long. “I beg your pardon for keeping you. I know General will be standing here awhile. I hate to leave him, poor thing, after he has pulled us along here by himself. I will be purchasing a companion for him within a few days.” Averil patted General on the neck once more.

  “I’m sure he’ll welcome the help.” Her features were relaxed, indicating she wasn’t the least bit perturbed. “I like a man who is considerate of his horse. It usually means he is kind to people too.”

  “I find that if I display courtesy to others, be they animal or human, life is a much more pleasant affair for all concerned.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.”

  As they made their way through the thick of the festivities, he patted his chest to ascertain that his money remained inside the inner pocket of his blue-and-white-striped seersucker suit. Wanting to make sure he had enough cash to make a successful bid on Cecily’s boxed lunch, that morning he had tucked a few extra dollars in his money clip.

  A bespectacled man with an anemic look tipped his hat. “Good morning, Miss Eaton.”

  “Good morning, Professor Tobias.” Cecily looked at Averil. “Have you met my former music instructor?”

  “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.” Averil touched the brim of his straw hat. He wondered why Professor Tobias no longer instructed her in music. Was he the same teacher Augusta had been singing with the day he first knocked on their door? Or had they progressed to a new teacher? He made a mental note to ask sometime when they weren’t surrounded by a crowd.

  After Cecily introduced Averil to Professor Tobias, the teacher said, “I greatly regret that you must use the word ‘former’ to describe me, Miss Eaton. I do wish I were still your music teacher.”

  “How nice of you to say that, but I’m quite confident that my slot has long been taken by some other lucky student.” Cecily turned to Averil. “Professor Tobias is an accomplished musician. He is quite in demand, you know.”

  “I’ll remember that should someone ask me to recommend a good teacher.” Lest he should be recruited as a new student on the spot, Averil hastened to add, “I tried my hand at piano as a boy, to disastrous results, I’m afraid.”

  “I’m sure you exaggerate.” Even as she spoke, Cecily surveyed the crowd. Her eyes lit up and she started to move away. “I see someone else I want you to meet, Mr. Kingsley. If you’ll pardon us, Professor Tobias?”

  “But of course.” The music teacher’s voice held no enthusiasm.

  Averil allowed himself to be introduced to a number of Cecily’s friends. He greeted them all politely and exchanged pleasantries. All the while, his stomach tied itself in a knot. This outing was the first where he and Cecily appeared together, with the exception of church services and Sunday school class. He had a feeling he would be meeting many of her friends and acquaintances. What would they think? He had been so concerned about making a favorable impression on Cecily and her parents that he hadn’t stopped to think he would have to extend his efforts even further.

  Why did meeting Cecily’s friends and acquaintances make him so anxious? Being nervous wasn’t like him. He was a door-to-door salesman. He was accustomed to greeting people every day, strangers he didn’t know. But then, he had something to say—a great deal to say—about the stupendous Capital Duster Electric Pneumatic Carpet Renovator.

  Without his machine, what would he talk about?

  Please, Lord, be with me now.

  Apparently the Lord was listening, because Averil didn’t make any noticeable gaffs during any of the introductions. Her friends pretended not to notice how much shorter he stood than Cecily. Before he knew it, the time for the Maypole dance had arrived. Averil breathed an audible sigh of relief. Finally he could just enjoy watching the event and listening to the music.r />
  Once a lilting tune started, ladies, all dressed in white, skipped around the pole in time to the beat, each holding a ribbon. Averil looked for Cecily among the group. Spotting her among the others was easy, since she was more than a head taller than all but two or three of the other ladies. Her lithe form moved with grace and elegance as she met each dancer and either lifted her pale blue ribbon or ducked so that the fabric she held wove over or under as appropriate. Round and round they went. The ribbons, which had blown freely in the breeze, were woven around the pole until only a foot of each piece remained unfettered. The white pole was now decorated with a myriad of pastel colors that reminded Averil of Easter eggs. He was among the most animated of the enthusiastic audience who gasped, whooped, and applauded to show their appreciation. The five-piece band, situated under a wooden gazebo decorated in festive ribbon for the occasion, broke out into yet another spirited tune. A grand celebration of spring had begun in earnest.

  “Look,” said Cecily. “Everyone’s gathering near the stage.”

  “Will we be treated to a play as well?”

  Cecily shook her head, then tilted her face toward a man who had taken his place near the center. “That’s Hank, the auctioneer. He’s ready to start the bidding on the boxed lunches.”

  “Come.” She took his hand to lead him. He could feel the pleasant warmth of her fingers, even through the cotton gloves she wore. As soon as she reached what she thought was a good spot, only a few feet from the auctioneer, she let go of his hand.

  She leaned toward him and whispered, “Remember. It’s the green box with three lilies.”

  He pointed to his head. “I’ve had those details etched in my brain ever since the first time you told me.”

  She hurried toward the seats on the stage where the single women were meant to sit, but not before casting a pleased look his way.

  Averil stood and watched the meals being auctioned, one after the other. He could see from the decorations that the ladies had made every effort to beautify their boxes. Attractive ribbons graced all of them. Flowers were a popular choice for additional decorations. Each one looked as distinctive as the creators themselves. He knew this because after each winner was announced, the lady in question would rise from her seat on the temporary stage and, usually amid giggles, meet the winner. The proud bachelor would then claim his lunch, take the girl by the elbow, and lead her to a vacant spot on the grass, where they could enjoy lunch together in peace. Or at least as much peace as a couple could enjoy during the lively celebration.