Chapter Six #3
Gathering the reins, he turned the gelding back towards the stable.
Arthur was confident in the bay’s ability and it would be a good, gentle, sound mount for Miss Claudia.
Knowing Jenkins would be present for trap shooting this afternoon, he would wait and make arrangements to deliver the gelding tomorrow.
He would, in the meantime, have one of the grooms bathe and give the bay a good, thorough brushing just like they always did.
Only this time with a little extra finesse.
Retracing their steps back to the meadow, Arthur noted the gray grazing until the animal heard them and then watched them curiously from afar.
Roddy, seeing the intruder, went bounding over to the gray as he circled the animal a couple of times before losing interest. Arthur whistled to the setter and urged the bay into a slow gallop.
He would ignore the gray’s presence but would have someone once again check for any holes in the walls or fencing.
He also decided to not mention anything to Lady Daphne if she were in attendance this afternoon.
He would pretend he had no knowledge of her horse trespassing on his land because she might not be able to not say something about it.
She loved thinking she had the upper hand, and he would let her think she did.
It would make for an interesting time, baiting her like that.
Met by one of the grooms when he arrived back at the stable, he slid off the bay and gave the boy a set of instructions for preparing the horse for a possible new home.
He turned and checked on his own mount who was pawing at the ground in a paddock he’d been placed in.
He’d either take Midnight out in the morning for a ride or ride him to the house party rather than take his carriage.
He walked to the paddock, and the black lifted his neck and quickly walked to where Arthur was now standing. He stroked the stallion’s neck for several minutes before turning to walk to the house.
Arthur took the stairs two at a time when he arrived in the house. Thomas, his valet, had laid out a change of clothes. His plan had been to change on his own without Thomas fussing over him, but the man was too quick and began helping Arthur ready for the afternoon’s events.
“I doubt I’ll be attending dinner this evening, but it wouldn’t hurt to have things ready in case I find myself forced to go. You know how my sister can be. Sometimes she acts as though she hears only what she wants. Her house party is a prime example.”
“No problem, Your Grace. Do you know what tomorrow’s activities are?”
Arthur scrubbed his hand over his face for a moment as he thought. “I believe there’s a hunting party tomorrow. Not positive though.”
“I’m sure it is the hunting party tomorrow and fly fishing in the river the following day,” Thomas replied.
The young man had been a footman when Arthur first became duke.
His father’s valet, who’d served his father for decades, decided the time was perfect for him to retire.
As per his father’s instructions, the man received a pension and cottage for his lifetime of service.
Thomas had begun working as Arthur’s valet a year before, and it only made sense for him to continue in that position despite the butler suggesting an underbutler for the position. Instead, he kept Thomas.
Arthur checked himself in the mirror one last time. “Hopefully, there won’t be too many ladies interested in trap shooting this afternoon. I can’t tell you how disturbing it is to be on display. It’s as though I were a lap dog or something. Lady Roxanne has gone too far this time.”
“It’s surely not that bad, Your Grace?”
“Yes, it is, but now that the party has started, perhaps everyone will act normally. I think I’m capable of choosing a wife, though you wouldn’t think so with all the young ladies attending with their parents.”
“Oh my,” Thomas said, brushing Arthur’s shoulders one last time.
“The best way to handle the situation is to not give any one lady special attention unless I feel there might be reason to get to know her better.”
The valet nodded. “Be aware, women can be quite cunning when in groups.”
“You’re too kind, Thomas. Ruthless was more the word I was looking for. Anyway, I suppose I best return before my sister sends a party looking for me.”
Arthur turned and walked out. Since it was such a glorious autumn day, he’d decided to take his curricle and drive himself. Soon the cold weather would set in and he’d have only one option. His carriage.
He arrived at the house, greeted by the butler. “Everyone has gathered for lunch outdoors just outside the gardens, Your Grace.”
Arthur nodded. “Excellent. Thank you.”
The French doors were open so Arthur didn’t have an opportunity to gather his thoughts before joining everyone. He walked through the doors and onto the terrace. He took a deep breath and walked down the steps and across the gardens.
Upon arrival, he noticed tables set up, along with a large tent to shade the ladies from the sun. Everyone appeared to be mingling, making him wonder if they were waiting on him. Surely not. He saw Graham approaching. He had a smirk on his face which wasn’t a good sign.
“Glad you could join us.”
“Surely I can’t be that late, if I’m late at all,” Arthur responded.
“You’re fine, but the young ladies have all been asking about you.”
Arthur groaned. “Of course they are.”
“Go say hello to Roxanne. I need to check on the equipment for this afternoon’s activities. And no, you can’t go with me.” He grinned and walked off laughing.
He greeted several gentlemen on his way to find his sister and made a special point of speaking with Jenkins. “Jenkins, I rode the bay gelding this morning and I think he’ll suit your sister well. If you’d like, I could bring him by in the morning and leave him.”
“Excellent. If you’d like, you can tell her yourself. I brought her along since the weather was so nice and I thought she could use a change of scenery. The countess was quite accommodating.”
Arthur nodded. “My sister’s quite gracious. Be sure to introduce your sister to me and I’ll be happy to answer any questions she might have.” Another young lady of marriageable age he was going to have to go through the motions with. This house party wouldn’t end soon enough.
“I will, Your Grace.”
Looking across the lawn, Arthur noted Lady Daphne laughing and walking with the young man he’d seen her with the night before.
He’d have to ask Graham or Roxanne who he was.
Lady Daphne saw him looking at them and said something to him and began laughing at something he said.
Arthur returned his attention to Jenkins who was still standing in front of him.
“I don’t know about you, Jenkins, but I’m famished. I learned a long time ago never to eat breakfast when attending one of my sister’s affairs.”
Jenkins’s eyes lit up. Being included to eat with a duke was probably something that Jenkins would talk about for a long time. “Yes, of course, Your Grace. I’ll have to remember that about breakfast if lunch is involved.”
The pair began to walk closer. Noticing it was a buffet, Arthur scanned what was available.
Normally a footman or two would scramble to his side to ask him what he’d like, but his sister had obviously told them differently.
He took a plate off a stack and began to make his choices.
Roast chicken and ham. A variety of cheeses and fruits were available as well.
He made his choices along with a chunk of crusty bread.
A footman did show them an empty table in the shade.
Two glasses, eating utensils, and a bottle of wine were set in the middle.
Without asking his dining partner if he was agreeable to the location, Arthur sat.
Jenkins followed. They said nothing as both were hungry and enjoying the array of food they’d chosen.
Taking a sip of the red wine, he gazed around at the other guests. Roxanne spotted him and walked over to their table. “Is everything satisfactory, Your Grace?” she asked with a demure smile. “Mr. Jenkins?”
“Very nice, countess.”
Feeling his sister’s eyes on him, he replied quickly. “Quite nice. A nice change.” He didn’t elaborate for fear of offending Roxanne.
“I’m glad you like it. You must try dessert. There are several you’ll like,” she said.
He spotted Lady Daphne once more. “Who is that young man with Lady Daphne? I don’t believe I know him.”
Roxanne turned and looked before gazing back at Arthur. “That’s Lady Daphne’s brother, Lord Timothy. He’s on break from university. In fact he mentioned the family would be in residence in a few days. Why?”
“Like I said, I didn’t recognize him.”
“Now you know.” She paused for a moment as though collecting her thoughts. “I’ll see you gentlemen shortly for trap shooting.”
As she walked on to another of her guests, Arthur sat back and picked up a piece of Stilton cheese.
He took a bite before enjoying a taste of wine.
Stilton was one of his weaknesses. His staff made sure to always keep a wheel in the pantry.
Noticing a young woman approaching, he glanced over at his dining partner.
Jenkins obviously knew her as he was bidding her to join them. She shyly approached the table.
“Your Grace, this is my sister, Miss Claudia.”
Arthur was already standing and took her hand. The girl was about sixteen or thereabouts. She was simply dressed in a pale-yellow day dress, which accented her mousy brown hair. “Miss Claudia, won’t you join us?”
She glanced nervously at her brother before turning her attention to Arthur. “I shouldn’t, Your Grace.”
“I insist,” he replied. “Your brother mentioned you needed a good, dependable mount and I think I have just such a horse.”
She sat down in an extra chair. “Yes, that’s correct, Your Grace. I’m not an overly experienced rider so it’s important the animal doesn’t spook at the least little thing.”