Page 6 of Enamored with a Brooding Earl
“Dinner tomorrow?”
His mother nodded. “Yes, I quite forgot to tell you that we received an invitation today from Lord and Lady Thurston. You did write to them to say that we would be arriving, yes?”
James nodded, his heart lifting as he thought of his dear friend, Lord Benjamin Thurston. They had played here together as boys, with Viscount Thurston’s estate bordering his, and had even gone to Eton together. Lord Thurston had married a Lady Penelope some three years ago – around the very same time that James’ brother had passed away. “Yes, I wrote to Thurston to inform him of our plans to spend a few months here.”
“He is clearly looking forward to being in your company again!” His mother smiled. “And I am sure that you will be the very same. Though, as I have said, I wonder if Lady Hartford and her niece will be invited also? It was to a formal dinner and given that they are the only other society people present nearby, it should be expected that they would be present… though mayhap Lady Temperance is not at all eager to join even the smallest social events. I would not blame her, the poor child.”
James blinked, then drew his eyebrows into a frown. “You speak as though there is something the matter? The young lady I spoke with appeared to be very contented indeed.”
His mother’s eyebrows lifted. “You did not see her face, then?”
James’ frown deepened. “Yes, of course I did.”
“Then you thought nothing of her scar?”
A little confused, James gazed back at his mother. “I did not see a scar.” Understanding washed over him. “Ah, but that will bewhy she turned her head away from me. I thought it was to do with propriety or shyness but it probably was because she was attempting to hide that from me.” When his mother nodded, James’ heart filled with a sudden sympathy for the young lady. “I would not think less of her because of that.”
“Yes, but that is because you are a gentleman of great character,” came the reply, making James smile. “Her betrothed, the Marquess of Barlington, ended the engagement when he saw that the scar from her accident would be permanent.”
A heavy darkness wrapped around James’ mind and he scowled, hard. “What a cad.”
“Indeed.”
“Might I ask what happened? Do you know what the accident was?”
His mother nodded. “A horse threw her, I believe. It shied at something and she was flung from its back into a stone wall which ran along the perimeter of where she was riding. Lord Barlington was with her, as well as a few other guests.” Perhaps seeing his confused look, his mother explained a little more clearly. “She was present at Lord Barlington’s house party. A party to celebrate their engagement, I believe. It must have been dreadful for her to, first of all, recover from her injuries but, thereafter, to be forced to recover from a broken heart!” She clicked her tongue and shook her head. “Little wonder that she came to reside here. Thetondid nothing but speak of it for a long time, from what I understand. We would not have been as aware of it, given that we were in our mourning period, but from my society friends, I understand that this is what was on society’s lips for many a month. Very few people have seen Lady Temperance since that time and now, I should not expect her to return to London. Could you imagine what she would have to face? What she would have to endure?”
Recalling how the young lady had made certain to look away from him as best she could, remembering the glances she had sent him and realizing now that they came from uncertainty and, mayhap, even fear, James’ lips twisted. “I can imagine it would not be pleasant.”
“Indeed not.” Lady Calverton let out a slow exhale of breath. “I do hope that the young lady will come to dinner, should an invitation have been given. It would be very pleasant to meet her.”
“I am sure it shall,” James murmured, his own thoughts returning to the young lady. He now found himself just as eager as his mother to greet Lady Temperance, finding himself a little intrigued by the lady. He wanted to be able to look her full in the face, to have her see that he was not about to be pushed away from her simply because of whatever scars she bore. That was not the sort of gentleman he was, though he could easily understand why she might fear such a thing from him.
“Lord Barlington must have no character whatsoever,” he muttered to himself, though his mother nodded firmly. “To do such a thing to a young lady is quite dreadful!”
“It must have cost her dearly. She has endured a great deal and now, she must endure even more. Though did you say that she was pursuing a sketch?” A flicker of interest ignited her eyes and James smiled.
“Yes, that is what I said. It seems as though she is something of an artist, though I have not seen her work.”
“That is something that we can talk about together, then!” Lady Calverton beamed at him from across the table. “I am all the more hopeful that she will be at dinner tomorrow, though if she is not, I am sure that I will make her acquaintance when I call on Lady Hartford.”
James nodded. “I should like to join you, on your visit, whenever it is arranged.”
“But of course. I think that this young lady will require as many acquaintances as she can – acquaintances who do nothing but accept her just as she is, acquaintances who can be trusted to treat her without mockery or disdain.”
“You need not be concerned on my account,” James protested, only for his mother to laugh and wave her hand.
“Yes, of course. I meant to suggest thatyouwould be one such acquaintance,” his mother explained, quickly. “Now, do let us get on and finish our dinner. I should like to write that note to Lady Hartford just as quickly as I can.”
With a smile, James continued on with his meal, his thoughts still lingering on Lady Temperance. Silently wondering when he would get to see her again, he found himself smiling as he remembered the vivid green of her eyes and the golden hues of her hair. Scarred or not, Lady Temperance had certainly made animpression upon him, and it seemed that she was not someone he was likely to forget.
Chapter Five
“Are you quite ready?”
Temperance ran both hands down her gown and, turning to her aunt, nodded just as a knot tied itself in her stomach.
“You need not look so afraid,” Lady Hartford murmured, gently. “My dear girl, it is only Lord and Lady Thurston.”
