Page 8 of The Lady Who Said No to the Duke
‘Of course,’ she said with a bright smile for her godmother.‘I am not going to allow myself to worry about it.Have you a wide acquaintance in the district, Mr Forrest?’
Her sudden change of subject appeared to have taken himby surprise and he hesitated for a moment before saying, ‘It is quite some time since I was in the area.’
That was not quite what she had asked, but Thea took that as a negative, and a not very informative one at that.‘Perhaps you intend to explore the countryside as it is unfamiliar to you,’ she said.‘You do not have any commitments drawing you away?A parish left in the hands of a curate, for example?’
It was blatant fishing, and she could have perfectly well asked Godmama, but she was curious about Mr Forrest’s reticence.
‘You take me for a clergyman?’He looked so appalled that she laughed.‘The Archbishop of Canterbury would never make so grievous an error as to allow me to be ordained.No, I own some land, and there is nothing that requires my urgent attention just now.’
‘So, a landowner and a sinner,’ Thea teased.‘Now I have you neatly pigeonholed, Mr Forrest.’
‘Not averygreat sinner, I hope, Lady Thea,’ he replied, his mouth curving into a smile.‘But I am a restless man and I like to travel.Any parish in my care would find itself all too frequently left to an overworked curate.’
She smiled encouragingly, but no interesting tales of his travels resulted, so it seemed that Mr Forrest liked to keep himself to himself.That was certainly his right and just because she had poured out the tale of her own situation to him, he was under no obligation to satisfy her curiosity in return, she told herself firmly.
‘Had you heard that Lord Brownlow has been created an earl, Hal?’Lady Holme enquired.‘He has had Wyattville working on Belton House and grounds for years—he clearly expected this elevation.I mention it because I thought you might be interested in the works.Brownlow has no objectionsto neighbours riding over his lands.Likes to show it off, I suspect,’ she added.‘He is creating an Italian garden about which I would like your opinion.’
‘Thinking of stealing the idea, Godmama?I am sure Lord Brownlow would be flattered by your interest.I imagine Juno will be rested by tomorrow.Do you care to ride, Lady Thea?’
‘I do, but with neither horse nor habit…’
‘That will be no problem, my dear,’ Godmama said immediately, as Thea had rather hoped she would.‘You may borrow one of my outfits.’She slid her foot to the side against Thea’s, glanced down and nodded.‘My boots too.Nero would suit you, I am sure.’
‘Our mounts are a Roman goddess and a Roman emperor,’ Mr Forrest remarked.‘Clearly, it is meant to be.’
Thea was saved from having to reply to that by the sound of Fenwick the butler clearing his throat.
‘Dinner is served, my lady.’
Mr Forrest stood and, very correctly, offered his arm to his godmother.She shook her head and indicated Thea, then swept out ahead of them, the demi-train of her gown swishing over the Chinese carpet.
‘Lady Thea?’
‘Mr Forrest.’She put her fingertips on his forearm and was escorted into the dining room, where he held her chair for her before taking his place opposite on their godmother’s left hand.
As the footman shook out her table napkin for her, Thea realised two things.One, she was hungry, and two, she was tired.Very tired.The tension that had gripped her ever since that confrontation with her parents had left her and with it the energy that had kept her going through her flight.
Perhaps, she thought, as the soup was set in front of her,she could regain the strength to make polite conversation throughout the meal, but she doubted it.The best she could hope for was not to yawn.
* * *
Lady Thea was decidedly subdued, Hal thought as the soup and the fish plates were removed in turn and all the young woman opposite contributed to the conversation were answers to direct questions.
She was exhausted now she had found sanctuary, he diagnosed, and concentrated on talking to his godmother so Lady Thea did not feel obliged to join in.On the other hand, he could not neglect her, so he tried to find a balance, with offers to pass the bread rolls and occasional smiles.
How many other young ladies would have the courage to stand up to their parents and refuse the marriage they favoured?And how many of them would not be so dazzled by the prospect of becoming a duchess that they could look beyond that and decide for themselves whether or not they would be happy?
The Duke of Leamington was going to lose a rather extraordinary duchess if he was not very careful.He wondered just how, and when, Lord Wiveton was intending to explain to His Grace that his intended had fled rather than marry him.The excuse of a minor indisposition could only suffice for a short while.It would make for an interesting conversation.
‘What is causing you to smile so, Hal?’Lady Holme enquired.
‘This excellent beef, Godmama.My compliments to your chef.’
She nodded.‘From our own herd.Fenwick, please convey Mr Forrest’s compliments to Anton.’
The food seemed to revive Lady Thea somewhat, butby the time she had taken the last spoonful of lemon posset he could tell that she was flagging.Not that it was obvious.Like all young ladies, she had been trained from an early age to maintain a perfect posture and to stay awake and smiling through everything from a tuneless piano recital to a lecture from a crabby old dowager.
When Lady Holme rose to leave him to port and nuts and Lady Thea following her example, Hal said, ‘Will you forgive me if I retire now?I recall that I have letters I should write in order that they may go first thing tomorrow.’
