Page 12 of Enamored with a Brooding Earl
The sound of hooves behind him made James turn, only to see the smiling face of Lord Thurston approaching.
“Thurston!” he exclaimed, as his friend drew his horse close beside him. “Good afternoon! I did not think that I would see you.”
“No?”
James chuckled at his friend’s enquiring look. “No, not when we are to have a soiree at your manor house this evening.”
“Ah, but there is very little to do,” came the reply. “Besides which, my dear lady wife does prefer to take on all the arrangements. I am not to say a single word to her about it, in fact, but I am to trust that all will be well and, to be truthful, every time I have done so, it had been just as she promised so I have every faith in her.”
Smiling, James found himself considering what it would be like to be married. Would he have the very same confidence in his own bride, whoever that might prove to be? Would she desire to take on the running of the home and of all the occasions they might put on? For whatever reason, his thoughts suddenly turned to Lady Temperance and, as her face flashed before his eyes, James shook his head and harrumphed, chasing the image away.
His friend lifted an eyebrow enquiringly but James only shrugged, choosing not to explain his strange reaction.
“Did you hear that the Duke and Duchess of Danfield are to come to stay?” his friend asked, as James frowned. “I hear they are to arrive at the end of the week.”
“The Duke of Danfield? I do not think I am acquainted with him or his wife.”
Lord Thurston smiled briefly. “They are Lady Temperance’s parents. Lady Temperance told Penelope only yesterday about the news, though she did not appear to be particularly pleased about seeing them.”
“I wonder why that should be.”
Lord Thurston opened his mouth to say something more, only to snap it closed again and to shake his head. “I will not go into prolonged explanations, only to say that I believe the Duchess is very keen for her daughter to return to society.”
James’ eyebrows lifted. “But society will only speak ill of her! They will mock and whisper about her behind her back and that will bring her only more pain!”
“Precisely. Thankfully, I think that Lady Hartford is very eager indeed to do as her niece wants and will defend her from such a thing. It is good that she is willing to support her niece in that way.”
“Indeed it is,” James answered, now thinking very highly of Lady Hartford. “I am surprised that the Duchess would encourage her daughter back into such a situation.”
“It is, mayhap the only way that she can see for her daughter to marry and, from what I understand, that is the hope of every mother: for their daughter to marry well.”
James bit his lip and refused to say anything more. He wanted to begin to ask why the Duchess of Danfield could not see the pain that being brought back to society would cause Lady Temperance but instead chose to remain quite silent. The chances of the young lady finding a suitable match were very slim indeed, even if shewereto return to society. The gentlemen of thetonwere very specific in their requirements for a wife and James could not think of a single one who would look past her scar.
Though I would.
The thought sent heat rippling down his spine as he turned his head away from Lord Thurston for fear that his friend would see the heat in James’ cheeks.
“I do think that – oh, good gracious!”
James turned his head just as Lord Thurston pulled his horse to the side of the road. The rumble of carriage wheels signaled the arrival of a carriage which was coming much too quickly, givingJames only a few seconds to pull his horse to the same side as Lord Thurston. The carriage did not slow and James’ horse immediately shied as it rushed up alongside them. With all of his strength and his skill, James kept it under control, though both he and Lord Thurston let out an angry roar to the driver and the occupants within the carriage as it rushed past them.
“Goodness, whatever fool was that?” James exclaimed, bringing his horse back towards the center of the road, alongside Lord Thurston. “Do they not know that this is a country road? That there are other occupants upon it?”
“Clearly, they do not,” Lord Thurston answered, his voice holding a note of disgust. “Simpletons, certainly.”
As though the carriage driver had heard them, the carriage began to slow and, as James and Lord Thurston continued to ride, came to a complete stop. Thereafter, the carriage door opened and a gentleman stepped out.
James frowned and threw a look to Lord Thurston. “If this gentleman attempts to say that we are at fault, I shall have a few choice words to say to him!” he exclaimed, though he kept his voice low. “Whatever was he thinking forcing the driver to rush ahead like that?”
“Gentlemen!” The fellow spread out both hands, his smile broad despite the fact that his driver had almost caused an accident. “I do hope you are both all right. I do not know what my driver was thinking!”
Choosing to remain astride his horse, James brought his mount to a stop only a few steps away from the gentleman. To his mind, this gentleman was already speaking untruths, for the driver would not have driven in such a way without having been instructed to by his master. “We are both quite all right,” he said, a little snippily. “That was a most imprudent action, I must say. Compelling your coachman to urge your horses to hasten their pace on such treacherous roads does not bode well for our safety.” He arched an eyebrow as the still smiling gentleman opened his mouth, only for him to snap it closed again. Then, he shrugged.
“I will admit to telling my driver to make his way with urgency. I am greatly desirous to be at the house.”
Again, James and Lord Thurston shared a look.
“The house?” Lord Thurston asked, quickly. “I do not think we are introduced and I have resided here for many years. You are not one of our neighbours, I think.”
