Page 11 of Enamored with a Brooding Earl
Temperance chuckled softly. “I thank you, I am certain we will be able to speak without too much difficulty.”
“Though my niece does not want to show any of her work as yet,” Lady Hartford added, making Temperance’s smile fade. “I am sure that you, as a fellow artist, can understand, Lady Calverton!”
“Oh, of course!” Lady Calverton exclaimed, before turning to Temperance and beginning to speak about the process of her art and asking Temperance a good many questions about what she herself experienced and went through as regarded choosing what to draw or paint. Temperance answered as best as she could, aware of the way Lord Calverton’s gaze went from both herself and then to his mother and back again. The conversation flowed easily enough, with both Lady Calverton and Lady Hartford askingTemperance various questions, which surprised Temperance a little. Surely her aunt knew a little more about her art than this? But then, Temperance considered, she had never really spoken to her aunt about her need to paint, about the prevailing force which pushed her to paint, which pushed her to stand at the window, gaze out at the scene before her and paint it with fresh abandon. Her aunt gave her a space to paint, gave her all that she needed but had never really asked Temperance about it. No doubt that had been out of consideration for her, giving her the time and the space she required and, in thinking on that, Temperance was suddenly overwhelmed with a great affection for her aunt. How kind Lady Hartford had been to her in all of this! She had not only given her a place to live, but had welcomed her there with love, kindness and consideration. It was more than her mother had shown her, certainly, and for that, Temperance was more than grateful.
“Ah, and now the tea tray has arrived!” Lady Hartford exclaimed, giving Temperance a smile. “Might you pour the tea, Temperance?”
“It would be my pleasure.” Finding herself truly delighted not only with the company she was in but also with how easy the conversation had been, Temperance smiled and rose to her feet.
“Tell me, Lord Calverton, how long do you expect to be here?” Lady Hartford asked, as Temperance set out each cup and saucer in front of each person present. “Are you to be here for some months?”
Lord Calverton nodded. “Yes, I think so. I have no desire to return to London for the Season, I confess. My mother graciously agreed to come back to this estate for a short while. It has been some time since I have been able to take a rest from my responsibilities – and many years since I have been present here!”
“Did you come here as children?” Temperance asked, as Lord Calverton nodded.
“Yes. My brother and I – may he rest in peace – used to have many a fond holiday here. We would climb the cliffs, chase the rabbits across the moorland and, on occasion, swim in the sea.”
“Much to his mother’s chagrin!” Lady Calverton exclaimed, making Temperance laugh as she resumed her seat. “This is to be my dower house, you see, Lady Temperance. Once my son decidesto marry, I shall settle here and I shall be very contented, I am sure.”
“It would be a pleasure to have you as a neighbour again,” Lady Hartford smiled. “Lord Calverton, I think that you should do as your mother clearly desires and find a young lady to wed! That way, she can retire to the dower house and all will be well.”
For whatever reason, Temperance found herself flushing hot, glancing to Lord Calverton and hearing the few seconds of silence which followed her aunt’s statement. Surely neither her aunt nor Lady Calverton thought that there might be a match made here between Lord Calverton and herself!
“I shall seek to take your advice as soon as I am able, Lady Hartford,” Lord Calverton said after a few more moments, though there was a note of laughter in his voice as though he knew that there was nothing but jesting here. “Though I confess that I will not be making my way to London any time soon. Society does not interest me, as I am sure you can understand. My brother’s untimely death would be the source of much conversation should I return there. Gossip is something greatly distressing and I have no desire to be a part of it.”
Temperance nodded, her expression pulling flat. “It is much too inclined towards gossip and the like,” she agreed, softly, understanding exactly what it was he meant. “Why should anyone want to be a part of a society which values such a thing? Something which causes pain and sorrow to those who are spoken about?”
Lord Calverton shared a look with her which spoke of pain and Temperance’s heart plunged low. She did not know what it was that Lord Calverton had meant as regarded his brother, did not understand what had caused his death, but neither did sheneedto know. That was the trouble with theton. They needed to know everything that was taking place, felt it something whichhadto be shared and, thereafter, talked about but all that did was leave pain behind in its place.
“You are not about to make your way to London, then?” Lady Calverton asked gently, as Temperance shook her head. “Then I look forward to having very engaging company for the next few months! We shall have dinners and soirees and mayhap even a ride here and there?”
A shudder ran through Temperance and she closed her eyes briefly though her aunt quickly responded to Lady Calverton, taking away the requirement for Temperance to answer. All at once, the memory of riding across the gardens with Lord Barlington came back to her, flooding her entire being with a chill which shook her frame. Opening her eyes, she reached to take a sip of her tea, aware of the slight tremble in her hand as she did so. The warmth of the liquid chased away a little of the cold from her frame as she set it back down again.
“Excuse me for a moment, if you please.” Temperance forced a smile as she rose to her feet and then stepped away, walking out of the drawing room and into the hallway. Her feet took her to the parlor, her place of solitude, the place where she painted, and opening the door, Temperance stepped inside, closed the door and leaned back against it for a moment.
I did not think this would trouble me so greatly still.
Opening her eyes, Temperance made her way across the room and stood by the easel. The painting she had done the most recently – albeit not finished – comforted her for a moment, reminding her of the moment she had stood on the shore and sketched the way the beams of light from the sun which had spread down towards the sea. Temperance closed her eyes, grounding herself in that moment, waiting for peace to wash over her.
A quiet rap at the door made Temperance’s eyes fly open and as she turned, she saw none other than Lord Calverton standing there. One hand remained on the door handle, clearly unwilling to step in after her – mayhap for the sake of propriety, she did not know.
“I wanted to make certain you were all right, Lady Temperance.” Coming a little further into the room, he spread out both hands, the door still wide open. “I do not think that my mother thought for a moment that making such a suggestion would upset you. She spoke without thinking.”
Temperance’s heart softened as she tried to smile. “Of course she did not. I do not think that it was deliberate on her part, not at all.”
Lord Calverton nodded. “And you are quite all right?” The way his hazel eyes searched hers made Temperance smile, her hands going to her heart.
“Yes, I am. I will take a few moments and then return to you all.”
“Very well.” Lord Calverton continued to study her for a few moments and then with a nod, stepped away.
Temperance closed her eyes, took in a long breath and then let it out again slowly. Her heart squeezed but it was not with pain. It was with a sense of happiness, of warmth, that he had thought to come and see if she was all right. Evidently, he knew what had happened to her – mayhap his mother had informed him – and yet he had not turned away from her. He had, instead, shown more compassion and consideration that even her own sisters had done when the accident had first taken place.
“He is a good man,” Temperance murmured to herself, opening her eyes again as she looked back at her canvas. “A very good man indeed.”
Chapter Eight
James clicked to his horse, having permitted it to amble along the road for some minutes. They had enjoyed a good canter on their way back to the manor house but now, the horse was getting tired and, the truth was, so was he. He and his mother had taken a long walk around the small village, taking in everything and making certain to purchase something from each and every shop. There were only a few, yes, but he wanted to make certain that all of them received some of his custom. Thereafter, his mother had returned with the carriage but James had chosen to take a ride around the area, seeking out a little solitude. It had been a pleasant ride but he was now ready to return home.
