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Despite the Dowager's vehement desire to shake the dust of Stanyon from her feet and remove to the Dower House immediately, her natural indolence and sense of self-importance prevented her from making any concrete moves in that direction for some considerable time. On the one hand, there was such a lot of work to be done to make the Dower House habitable (at this, Gervase gave her a sardonic look; the Dower House was warmer, more modern, and altogether more comfortable than Stanyon itself). On the other, Drusilla would surely need her advice and support as she took over housekeeping a much larger establishment than any she had ever known (at this, Drusilla looked pointedly at all the signs of an indifferent mistress that could be seen just in the room they were currently in).
"I shall just tell her to leave," said Gervase, when Drusilla opened the question of how to encourage her removal to him, not three days after their return from their bridal tour. He looked every inch the imperious lord for a moment before smiling ruefully at Drusilla, and continuing, "I can't say she will listen very well, but I can certainly tell her." They sat side by side on a seat on the south terrace, enjoying the sunshine and each other. Certainly, there was not the socially acceptable amount of space between them, but neither looked likely to move.
"No, indeed, she will declare her intention to move, in ways both indignant that we should spurn her and heartbroken that we should not value her, and then make no move to leave at all," Drusilla agreed. "It is most vexing. For I must tell you that, while I shall always do my duty by your mother-in-law, I should prefer not to live with her."
"For my part, I think you express yourself with praiseworthy forbearance," Gervase said, "because my feelings go far past mere preference, entertaining though it would be to watch you defend my honour very politely over the tea table every day." He lifted her hand and kissed it, giving her a teasing look as his lips lingered on her skin.
"If we can get her to the Dower House, she will no doubt visit for tea several times a week and you can still be entertained as much as you please," Drusilla said, turning her hand so he could press a kiss to the sensitive palm. "There must be a way to do it. If only we could just move her there ourselves, for the sticking point is the organisation needed on her part."
"But we can," said Gervase, squeezing her hand as the idea came to him, before letting it go to gesture widely. "My dear robin, you are quite correct. We can move her ourselves, and present it as a great gift which we have given to her, to spare her the fatigue and pain of packing up and leaving her home!"
"Yes, and take the opportunity to get rid of some of the most hideous furniture while we're at it, since we don't want to deprive her of any of her favourite comforts," said Drusilla, quite taken with the idea. "And then we drive her over there, and install her in state. We would definitely not be abandoning her, perish the thought."
"Just like Hansel and Gretel, but with all the creature comforts she could need," agreed Gervase.
"We must not let Martin follow any breadcrumbs," said Drusilla.
"I am not likely to," said Martin, having come out the open french doors behind them in time to hear this last comment. "Unless it's a new way of luring birds to a hide, of course, but that seems more complicated than necessary."
"No, nothing to do with birds," said Gervase, in a very serious tone, but welcoming his brother and gesturing him to a chair.
"Good," said Martin, stretching his legs out comfortably, "for I wish to talk to you about this shocking fuss my mother is making about the move to the Dower House. First she insists that she will go and then sighs over things she's stigmatised as inconvenient any time these last ten years. I don't want to move, but I can't see any good reason for her to stay."
"Fortunately, I don't want you to move either," said Gervase, watching Martin's face ease slightly as he let go of that worry for a moment. "And, also fortunately, we have just been discussing an excellent plan to help your mother move." He outlined it quickly, and Martin's eyebrows rose incredulously.
"As a gift to her," added Drusilla hastily. "After how obliging she has been, and all the upset she's been through, we would prefer to spare her any more fatigue or worry."
"Yes, it's very thoughtful of you both," said Martin, agreeing with only the slightest tremor of amusement in his voice. "An excellent idea, and you should definitely make sure she takes the parlourmaid who can't lay a good fire to save her life. I shall help, of course," he continued. "Very dutiful son, wouldn't want her to get knocked up."
"Just so," said Gervase. "So, let us put our heads together and plan how we shall prepare and staff the Dower House with all Martin's least favourite servants and Drusila's least favourite furniture, and how we shall get my mother-in-law there without suspicion but with all her belongings."
"Don't forget Mr Clowne," said Martin. "Wouldn't want her to lack for… spiritual comfort," he finished triumphantly.
"Martin, I am very glad you are going to stay living here," said Drusilla, smiling at him warmly and enjoying his enjoyment of the ruse they were engaged in. It might be underhanded, perhaps even deceitful, but she couldn't help but think that getting rid of the Dowager was a praiseworthy outcome, and, if it allowed Martin and Gervase to conspire, then she approved of that even more. "If you will pass me my reticule, I believe I have a tablet of paper and a pencil, and we can record our plans."
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The next few weeks saw a marked upturn in complaints from the Dowager, poured into Drusilla's unresponsive ears. First, Martin and Gervase were busy all day with the manager and there were workmen bustling in and out of the Castle in a way that was not at all conducive to calm in one with such badly shattered nerves. Then, certain pieces of her favourite furniture, such as the green and purple brocade chaise with the crocodilian feet from the main sitting room, were removed, without so much as a by-your-leave from either Drusilla or Gervase! And just yesterday, she had been told that her maid must pack up all her clothing and belongings for a temporary move to another set of rooms, as apparently some repairs to the chimney system required it to be emptied. In all her years at Stanyon, she had never experienced a chimney smoking to any extent worth remarking!
So it was with injured dignity and a bosom full of grievances that she came down to luncheon, to find all three members of her ungrateful family waiting for her over cold meat and fruit.
"Have you been enjoying the sunshine today?" inquired Martin, pulling out the chair next to him for her. Her sense of ire cooled slightly at this show of regard, but many vexations still rankled and could be heard in her tone.
"Not yet," she said. "As you know, Martin, or should know, if you paid any heed whatsoever to your mother, I answer all my correspondence on Tuesdays in the morning, and so I have been writing. It would have been easier," she continued, "if my rooms were not barred to me, as my writing desk is set up just as I like it, and my maid is able to provide any trifling assistance I need instead of being occupied making sure workmen do not damage anything as they complete unnecessary work, no doubt in a slipshod way that will make the problem worse. If there was a problem, which I do not believe, for Stanyon has an excellent heating system, and many people would consider themselves lucky to enjoy such comforts."
Martin looked daunted at this flow of words, and even Gervase blinked a little, but Drusilla replied without hesitation.
"You are a very regular correspondent," she agreed, "no doubt a virtue inherited from your Father." She then headed off any reminiscences about this worthy man by continuing, "Your diligence deserves a respite. Would you care to drive with me this afternoon? I remember you telling me of the decision to rework the entire formal garden and install a small succession house at the Dower House, and was hoping to have the benefit of your advice as I look it over to better understand their workings."
The Dowager looked conflicted for just a moment, before burying it in overpowering graciousness. If advice was what Drusilla wished for, then far be it from her to stint in providing it.
"I would be delighted to have your company," she said. " I flatter myself that one cannot find a better small system designed for such a modest household." She looked at Martin and Gervase. "Martin, it would do you good to understand more of the workings of such a system, since the inexplicable absence of your cousin Theo has left you shouldering much more of the burden here."
"I would be pleased to accompany you," said Martin easily. "Gervase?"
"The Dowager is correct to remind me that Martin is an invaluable asset to this family," said Gervase. "Shall we make it a family excursion, ma'am?"
Soothed by the thought of all her family deferring to her, the Dowager allowed herself to be persuaded into her carriage in short order, and entertained Drusilla with a rambling story of her own mother-in-law, the late Earl's mother, and what she had said on her removal to the Dower House, many years before. Drusilla entertained herself by imagining what the Dowager was likely to say when she realised that this was her own removal to the Dower House, and was able to maintain an air of courteous interest for the short drive.
On arrival, Gervase let down the steps of the carriage himself and tenderly handed down his mother-in-law and Drusilla, a courtesy she appreciated and rewarded with a gracious platitude. Martin knocked on the door, and the Dowager was shepherded in without really realising that there was no need to enter the house if a visit to the gardens was the plan. She frowned as she recognised the upper housemaid, and again, as she was ushered into the sitting room and recognised her favourite chaise.
"My dear ma'am," said Gervase, bowing slightly as she looked around the room, "we hope you like your surprise!"
"I am not, in general, fond of such frivolous things as surprises," said the Dowager haughtily, almost by instinct.
"Perhaps surprise is not the best word," said Drusilla. "We hope you will find it a pleasant gift, in recognition of all that you have done. We've all three of us heard you say that you wish to remove here, to keep the Dower House in order and give us space, but we know that moving is a burden for one as busy as you."
"You have moved me here?" the Dowager asked, somewhat weakly, like she couldn't believe it. Martin handed her to a seat on the chaise while the upper housemaid wheeled in the tea tray, though it was far too early. On the other hand, tea had always been her Father's answer for anything that a good long hack over the countryside on his favourite hunter couldn't fix.
"Yes indeed, ma'am," said Gervase. "We know it has been your wish, but you have not had the time to accomplish it. And, too, we know that you will be pleased to welcome Lousia here in just a few weeks, to help you put the finishing touches on the place."
"But my belongings!" she said, finally grasping that her family, all standing in front of her, wearing helpful smiles, had contrived to get all her things moved, installed servants, and deliver her here. She could not decide whether she should be indignant at the temerity of them, or gracious in accepting their effort as her due.
"All your things are here, with your maid," said Martin. "You know that the chimneys only smoke the merest trifle, but we had to find an excuse. We wanted you to know how much we appreciate you, mama."
The Dowager softened and held out her hand to her son. Martin hesitated for just a moment before taking it and bowing over it with great courtliness. He seemed to be struggling with some sort of great emotion, and the Dowager softened. Of course, she had always intended to remove here and allow Drusilla to make all the inevitable mistakes of a young bride, and it was so thoughtful of them to make all the arrangements for her, though, no doubt, she would find many glaring gaps in their forethought or their consideration when she had had a chance to look over everything.
"You'll find everything here that you might need," said Gervase, "and we must leave you to enjoy your triumph! If we have forgotten anything, don't hesitate to send one of the grooms over with a message."
He whisked the three of them out the door with a sad lack of ceremony and decorum, kissing his mother-in-law's hand briefly, and the Dowager allowed Drusilla to kiss her cheek. They must be feeling somewhat apprehensive about life at Stanyon without her, and she let them go without long, emotional leavetaking.
Drusilla looked back at the door, as Gervase held it for her, and watched the Dowager turn her critical gaze on the tea tray. She was pleased that she had sacrificed one of the sets with lilacs and excessive gilt. While she didn't hurry through the hallway and down to the waiting carriage, she did not linger either, and Gervase handed her in rather more briskly than usual. While she did not think that the Dowager would pursue them now, it would be best not to run any unnecessary risks, and they were out the gate and back in the park with some haste.
"Wait," said Martin, "did we remember Mr Clowne?"
"Yes," said Drusilla. "Though he, very prudently, let us deliver our surprise without his help. He said it was best to let it come from us. Indeed, he did not want to know any details."
"I have always thought Mr Clowne a prudent man," said Gervase. "Come, let us go home and rearrange more furniture."
"You can start by putting that epergne in the attic," said Martin.
"I can't believe we forgot that!" said Drusilla. She looked at Gervase. "If you wish, it can go in a dark cupboard now, my lord," she said. Gervase smiled at her, and she loved to see him so happy and carefree. She had no doubt that she would be the unwilling recipient of months, perhaps years, of complaining afternoon calls from the Dowager, and would feel bad later about her sad want of dignity and propriety, particularly in the rush to leave, but Martin was already enumerating other heirlooms he hated, and outlining some of the main access points to the attic and the fascinating things he had found there as a child. It was all worthwhile.