Page 5 of Enamored with a Brooding Earl
Lord Calverton blinked. “I see.”
He did not smile and Temperance flushed hot, despite the chill in the wind. Did he know of what had happened to her? Had her name brought about a flash of understanding as he recalled whom she had once been engaged to?
“I should return now,” she murmured, making her way back towards the path which led a winding way up the cliffs. “Do excuse me, Lord Calverton.”
“Good afternoon, Lady Temperance.”
Temperance scurried away as fast as she dared, without making it appear as though she were hurrying away from him. Her face grew hotter still as she wondered if he were watching her, afraid now that he would be gazing after her with the realization as to why she had hidden her face from him. Making her way to the path, Temperance paused for a moment to catch her breath, all thoughts of her sketch and her upcoming painting now gone from her. That had been a most unexpected meeting and, all of a sudden, she felt herself unsettled and filled with concern rather than the quiet happiness which had filled her as she had sketched. A good deal more slowly now, Temperance made her way up the cliff path, daring a glance back over her shoulder as she climbed.Lord Calverton was still walking along the shoreline, though away from her rather than coming back towards the path. Feeling a little more secure now, Temperance slowed her steps even more, considering him and their strange introduction. He appeared to be a somewhat serious gentleman given his demeanor and his expression, though that had lifted for a few moments when he had learned who her aunt was.
I do not think that I will be often in his company,she thought to herself, comforted by the thought.His mother can visit my aunt and I am certain that my presence will not be required.Nodding to herself, Temperance made her way back along the top of the cliffs towards the house, doing her best to turn her thoughts towards her sketch rather than Lord Calverton. Her breathing still quickened from her ascent and her walk back towards the house, Temperance shook her head hard, for no other reason than to clear that gentleman out of her mind. By the time she had arrived home, however, she had still not succeeded.
Chapter Four
“Good evening, mother.”
James smiled as his mother sat down at the table opposite him, ready to begin their dinner.
“Good evening,” she smiled, looking a good deal happier than he had seen her in some months. “What a pleasant day this has been, has it not?”
James nodded. “I would quite agree.” He gestured for the footmen to serve the first course. “I took a walk along the shore today and had a very pleasant time there.”
His mother’s eyebrows lifted. “It was rather windy, was it not?” she asked, as James nodded. “The summer is not yet upon us and here, being close to the sea, it can still sometimes feel as though we are in the depths of winter! Did you find yourself very cold?”
James shook his head. “No, not in the least. I found it rather refreshing, truth be told.”
His mother smiled. “I am glad to hear it. I, for myself, took a short walk through the rose garden – though it is devoid of roses at the present moment – and thereafter, I did a little painting.”
That made James smile. “You have not painted in some months.”
“Ah but that is because I have not felt the urge to do so,” came the quick reply, as his mother lifted the spoon of soup to her lips. “Today, however, I did.”
“That is wonderful to hear. It has been a long time since you have done such a thing.” James tilted his head. “Tell me, do you require anything in particular as regards your art? There is a shop in the village which, from what I recall, we can ask to send for whatever you need.”
With a shake of her head, Lady Calverton smiled. “No, not at all. In fact, earlier today, I went to look for whatever I might have stored here and found a great abundance of things! I think I shall have plenty to hand.”
James smiled and took a mouthful of soup, his mind returning to Lady Temperance, who he had met on the shore. “Speaking of art, mother, I found out that Lord and Lady Hartfordstill reside nearby and though Lord Hartford is absent from the house at the present moment, Lady Hartford is still present.”
At this, his mother stared back at him for a long moment, only for her spoon to drop back down into her bowl.
“Mother?” James questioned, a little surprised at the expression which now crossed her face. “Are you quite well?”
Lady Calverton nodded, though her eyes immediately began to sparkle with hope. “Lady Hartford is present here? She is at home? I had thought that she might have gone to London for I do know just how much she loves society.”
James shook his head. “It seems that her niece is staying with her and they are residing here at present. Lady Temperance did not make any mention of going to London.”
At this remark, the light began to fade from his mother’s expression. “Did you say Lady Temperance?”
James nodded. “Yes, I did. Why? Are you acquainted with her?” A knot tied itself in his stomach. “Is there something the matter? Ought I not to have associated with her?”
“You spoke with her? When?”
Realizing that he had not given any sort of explanation as to how he knew such things, James began his explanation. “I caught the lady as she stumbled down onto the shore. She had not come down by the path but had scrambled down a very dangerous way in order to catch a sketch which the wind had taken from her. I introduced myself and in that, found out that she was the niece of Lady Hartford and, in that, that the lady herself was still residing at the estate – and looks to be for the year, I should say given that Lady Temperance did not mention going to society or any such thing.”
“Well, of course she would not go to society,” came the reply. “Though I am glad to know that Lady Hartford is at home. I shouldverymuch like to call on her.” A note of excitement came into her voice, sending a broad smile across her face. “I shall write a note to her this very evening!”
James smiled to himself, wondering silently what it would be like to be in company with Lady Temperance again. She had seemed rather shy when they had spoken on the shore but he could not blame her for that. The way she had kept her head turned away from him spoke of an uncertainty over their conversation, though that was more than a little understandable.For a young lady to be speaking to a gentleman she did not knowandwithout the presence of a chaperone was somewhat improper, though given their far-flung location and the lack of society present, James did not think that ought to be any concern. It was not as though a society gossip would come along and catch them in such a situation! His smile lingered as he considered the flash of gold in her curls as they had bounced around her temples, the emerald green of her eyes as she had darted a curious glance at him here and there.
“I wonder if Lady Hartford will be present at dinner tomorrow,” his mother mused aloud, making James glance at her again, being pulled from his thoughts.
