Chapter Six #4
It wasn’t hard to tell that she was somewhat nervous.
Miss Claudia was nothing special to look at, but she had the manners some of her aristocratic counterparts didn’t possess.
“I believe you’ll like the gelding. He’s a striking dark bay with four dark black socks and a star on his forehead.
He’s twelve, well trained and well mannered. ”
“He sounds quite nice,” Miss Claudia replied.
Trying to put her at ease, Arthur motioned to the cheese plate. “How rude of me. Please enjoy some cheese and fruit. The Stilton is especially nice, if you like bleu cheeses. If not, I can highly recommend the cheddar.”
He watched her pick up a piece of each and set them on a plate in front of her. “If you’re interested, I can have him delivered, or your brother and I can accompany you on a ride so you can be sure he’ll suit. If you decide to try him, you may keep him until you’ve made up your mind.”
“That’s quite accommodating, Your Grace.”
Arthur nodded slightly. “Not at all. I want you to be sure you’ll be happy with him.”
His eyes caught several young ladies and even some mothers looking his way, talking among themselves. This was exactly why he hated these sorts of affairs. Guests, women in particular, had more than enough time to sharpen their claws for their next victim.
“Do you shoot trap, Miss Claudia?” He gazed at Jenkins who had a faint smile on his lips.
“Yes, my brother taught me since I came to the country. I quite enjoy it, though I’m still not very good at it.”
“Remember what I said, Claudia. It takes practice,” Jenkins said.
“Your brother is right. It is one of those activities that you get better at through practice.”
“Like everything. The more you practice, the better you become,” she said.
Arthur nodded and took a bite of cheese left on his plate.
He noticed the young ladies were still watching him and his guests with bated breath.
He stood and extended his hand to Jenkins and then his sister.
“If you will excuse me, I need to talk to the earl about this afternoon’s activities.
I look forward to seeing you shortly at the trap shooting. ”
He walked across the lawn where Graham was finishing up a conversation with a guest. A couple of young ladies approached. He hadn’t been fast enough.
“Your Grace, are you going to shoot trap?” one asked excitedly.
Another was quite to the point. “Who was that mousy thing, Your Grace?”
Fortunately, Roxanne rescued him. “Ladies, the earl is in need of the duke’s ideas on a few matters before we start the next activity.”
He nodded before turning in Graham’s direction. “Ladies.”
This was what he hated about social affairs.
The unmarried young women were unbearable to be around.
Especially in groups. There was nothing wrong with Miss Claudia.
She wasn’t the sort of woman he would court, but she was well read, polite, and quiet.
As he continued to walk across the lawn, he heard Roxanne answer the question he thought didn’t need him to answer.
“That is Miss Claudia Jenkins. She is in need of a riding horse and the duke has one that will suit her perfectly, not that it’s any of your business.”
He grinned. Leave it to his sister to let that gaggle know their behavior was inappropriate. If their mothers couldn’t keep them in line, Roxanne would.
Meeting with Graham, they discussed who would go when.
Graham decided that as host, he would go first, then whoever volunteered to go next.
Arthur would let a few go before him before taking his turn.
He noticed Lady Daphne standing to one side alone, observing the setup of the trap equipment.
She saw him looking in her direction and made an exaggerated curtsey at him before gathering her skirts and walking in their direction.
“Lady Daphne,” Graham said, taking her gloved hand.
Arthur nodded deeply. “Lady Daphne.”
“Are we about ready to go, gentlemen?” she asked.
“We are. Are you interested in taking a turn?” Arthur inquired.
“Yes, very much so,” came her reply. “Women are going to abide by the same rules as the men, aren’t they?”
“Yes,” Graham said.
“Perfect. I assume we’re about ready to start?”
Graham nodded. “Yes.”
“I look forward to the competition.” She nodded and turned, walking off where she found some chairs and sat down to wait for her turn.
Picking up a rifle, Graham grinned. “This ought to prove to be interesting. The lady has no fear and seems to have quite the competitive spirit.”
“Yes, and she has a foul-mouthed parrot, don’t forget. Everything she does is for shock value. It’ll be interesting to see if things change once her parents arrive.”
“I can’t imagine her parents allowing it. Perhaps some time around her family will prove to be the thing she needs.”
There were guests beginning to gather, so Graham turned his attention to them.
The afternoon was perfect for trap. There was not so much as a breeze, which would make things easier, especially for the ladies who would be participating.
Graham explained the rules and walked over to where participants would shoot from.
He loaded his rifle, got into position, and yelled at his man to pull.
Fortunately, he hit the clay projectile.
This was something Graham enjoyed and practiced quite a lot.
It wouldn’t have done any good for the host to have missed.
The men followed, with most hitting their target.
Arthur was about to take his turn when Lady Daphne came forward.
She was the first lady to do so and he hoped she was as good as she bragged.
On the other hand, if she missed more than once, she would probably return home to pout, making some sort of silly excuse for her poor performance.
She checked out the gun handed to her before stepping forward. Taking her aim, she shouted for the target to be released. A round of applause followed as she hit her mark. She turned to the crowd and, once again smiling, she curtsied.
“Your Grace, I believe you’re next,” she said, handing a man her shotgun. “Good luck.”
He hit his target square on and handed the shotgun back to one of Graham’s men.
Turning to face the large group, he bowed and walked over to the table where the men could indulge in a glass of whiskey.
After which Arthur was going to find somewhere quiet to sit but noticed the usual group of young ladies watching him.
He was going to turn away, but they called after him.
“Your Grace, where did you learn to shoot so well?” one of them called out.
He turned. “My father was the one who first introduced me when I was a boy.”
“Of course, I should have known. You must have been a quick study.”
He didn’t feel a reply was needed, which just brought up something they wanted to know.
“Isn’t that just so unladylike for a young woman to shoot? I don’t know how they expect to land a husband acting like that.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t feel the same way. I believe if a woman is comfortable shooting, she should engage in whichever activity it is. Times are changing.”
A blonde whose name he couldn’t recall spoke up. “You would be comfortable with your duchess participating in men’s sports?”
“Yes, of course, depending on which activity it might be. I would believe the lady, whoever she might be, would choose wisely.”
A small group of older women approached. Obviously, some of the young ladies’ mothers. “Your Grace, I hope they aren’t bothering you. I know you are needed to help out your brother-in-law.”
“No, not at all, but I should greet some of the gentlemen who’ve just joined us. Ladies.”
Thank goodness the mother had come to his rescue.
If Roxanne said anything to him, he might mention his thoughts on the young ladies.
He had decided not to partake in dinner this evening, promising his sister he would attend her blasted masquerade party later in the week.
He dreaded it, but if he went to what she deemed more important, she wouldn’t care if he skipped some of the other dinners.
Playing charades or cards after dinner was not something he cared for.
Not in a situation like this. He would get trapped into playing with single girls and Roxanne would do nothing to rescue him.
He looked back at the shooting match and saw that Miss Claudia and her brother were about to take their turns.
He was going to get closer but thought it best if he stay where he was.
He didn’t want to make her nervous since she seemed shier than most of the others.
Mr. Jenkins took his turn first, hitting the clay with precise accuracy.
Miss Claudia stepped forward to take her turn.
He noticed that same group of girls were off to one side watching, eager, he was sure, to try and make her fail.
He looked around for Roxanne but didn’t see her.
As Miss Claudia took her aim, Arthur neared a little closer just in time to watch her smash the target into a hundred bits.
Instinct told him to clap and congratulate her, not caring how it might look to others.