She had also learnt from Malcolm that Clifford had had taken the place of a married man who had been at the table previously. He had not been spending his whole time at the ball playing cards. Nor had Clifford been drunk.
Vanessa watched and waited for some crack in the facade she was certain he was presenting to her, but there was nothing she could find fault with. She was sure even her maiden aunt would have approved. Clifford had never even sworn once in her hearing, whereas in her own home she had constantly had to berate her brother for his most immoderate language. In fact, none of the men here in the house had loose tongues.
Henry Stone, though more jovial, was equally sober and upright. There was a warm camaraderie between the brothers which was refreshing to see. From what she was understood of their conversation, Clifford entrusted a great deal of the estate business to his brother, and he most certainly had had property settled upon him thanks to his elder brother's auspicies.
"It seems very unfair for some to get everything through the sheer good fortune of being born sometimes even a minute or two before the other," Clifford said when she had observed how generous he had been in allowing Henry to make all the decisions about the livestock.
"It's just surprising, that's all. Far too many siblings end up as rivals," she said with a sigh, reflecting upon her own cousins, and even she and her half-brother.
After conversing with all of her nurses, Vanessa felt much more at ease at Dr. Gold's. She would need time to confirm her first and second impressions, but thus far, the Stones, Bransons and Jeromes were all people that she would be pleased and proud to count as friends.
After her bath and toilette, Vanessa was allowed to remain downstairs in the snug little house to keep company with the others while they ate. Clifford waited on her hand and foot, offering her hot tea and dainties to tempt her appetite, but also not allowing her to eat too much when her stomach was still so unsettled. The crumpets before her bath had certainly made her feel like a new woman. She was quite famished, but obeyed the doctor's instructions to the letter.
As she sat with the little group of friends, she observed Clifford carefully. She noted in particular his impeccable table manners, and the intelligence with which he discussed the items raised by Malcolm or his sister as they took turns reading from the daily papers. Here was a man she would never be ashamed of, no matter what the company. She thought with shame of her own brother Gerald, and her cheeks burned.
Clifford noted her high color and long looks, and prayed he was winning the battle for her heart without having to make an all-out campaign to win her. Let her get to know him. It would be hard to keep his ardor in check, but Vanessa would be worth the wooing.
He elicited everyone's opinion on a number of different political questions, ensuring that every woman, including Vanessa, got to air their views. She could see him retreat into himself slightly, however, when Malcolm read out the news about Wellington investing the town of Burgos in Spain in preparation for a long siege.
Now she could truly grasp the meaning of the common phrase that someone's face closed up. He looked truly grim, and she wondered if he had friends who were serving in the war. She looked over at Henry, who was staring at his brother. Clifford put down his knife and fork, and folded his hands in front of him so tightly that his knuckles went white. She longed to discuss the matter further, but Malcolm, sensing at last the altered atmosphere around the table, came to the end of the sentence and began to read a far more frivolous item from the Court Circular.
Clifford gave a slow smile which did not quite reach his eyes, and relaxed again at last.
After the meal, Dr. Gold proposed that his patient might like some fresh air. Clifford immediately rose to fetch the men's outerwear, whilst the Jeromes wrapped her up tightly. She was allowed to take a turn about the garden, with Henry assisting on her left, and Clifford on her right.
The sisters led the way, with Malcolm and Claire bringing up the rear. It was a fine day with just the right amount of autumnal crispness, and Clifford commented on the warmth of the sun's rays despite the advancing season.
"That is not to say we will have not frost soon. We must check our arrangements about the winter crops, Henry."
"Indeed."
The two brothers chatted about their own estate matters for some time. Vanessa listened with interest, interjecting an intelligent question every so often.
"What are your main crops?"
"Well, as you know, much of the land is given over to livestock, and our herds of sheep are second to none."
"Cheviots?"
"And Leicesters, yes."