Chapter Seven
Having missed the day before because of rain, Arthur was glad to see the sun peeking around a bank of clouds.
He knew the moment he set foot in that house he would be back on display, and unless the gentlemen were playing billiards, he had no interest in other activities.
He used this morning to deliver the bay to Miss Claudia.
Arthur was awestruck on how easily there was a bond forming between the bay and Miss Claudia.
He followed as she led the horse to the stables, the bay walking by her side.
Peter, who’d been standing speaking with one of his grooms, smiled and neared his sister.
“What do you think?” Peter asked his sister.
“He’s very well mannered.”
“Quite a beauty for a bay,” Peter said.
“Isn’t he?” Claudia asked her brother.
“If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to let me know,” Arthur said.
“Does he have a name, Your Grace?” Claudia asked, stroking the bay’s velvety nose.
“Walter,” he replied.
“Well, Walter and I are going in the stables to find his stall and paddock. I’m sure he’d like to settle in. Thank you again, Your Grace.”
He nodded. “Perhaps you and your brother will join in on the ride my sister has planned. It would be a perfect opportunity for the two of you. You and Walter, I mean.”
“I believe we will. You’re right—it would be an excellent opportunity for her to ride in a crowd,” Jenkins said.
“I look forward to it. If you’ll excuse me. I promised my sister I’d attend this afternoon’s activities,” Arthur replied.
Everyone said their goodbyes, and Arthur felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Walter had a home where he was sure his new mistress would pop in to see him with apples and other treats.
Heading to Graham’s and Roxanne’s home, he looked up at the deep blue sky. Large puffy clouds lazily meandered by. He turned into their drive and walked Midnight the rest of the way. Handing the reins to a stable boy, Arthur went in search of his sister.
He found her on the terrace, after having eaten their luncheon there. It was evident by the cheese and fruit still being enjoyed. He approached slowly. As Roxanne came toward him, he couldn’t help but notice a few of the women were going to great lengths not to make eye contact.
“I apologize for being late,” he said.
“That’s quite all right. The men went for a ride, so since you missed that, I thought you could entertain us by playing the piano. Quite a few of the women are going inside. Some will go to their rooms to rest, and some will have time on their hands.”
“So you want me to play piano for them?”
“If you wouldn’t mind. You are a talented pianist, and you should share that with more people.”
“Thank you for the compliment. I don’t see why I should be left to entertain your guests.”
She smiled sweetly. “You owe me. I invited an array of young ladies and their parents in hopes of you finding someone who might catch your fancy, but you’ve yet to spend any extra time with any of them except for Miss Claudia and Lady Daphne.”
“I beg to differ with you. I’ve tried, but I’m failing as some of these women need a refresher course on how to act at situations such as this.”
“Then this will be a perfect chance to get to know them. Everyone loves music,” Roxanne said.
“I’d rather not. If you don’t mind, I’d prefer to return home and practice some more before doing it in front of an audience.”
“Very well. I’ll allow it this once, but you will come for dinner. It shall be a buffet style, so it’s a little less formal.”
“I’ll return for dinner and promise to stay and find an activity to participate in. I might even play for your guests.”
Roxanne gave him a curious look. “You say you refuse to play now but might during this evening’s events?”
“Yes.”
“Arthur, have you ever been told you’re difficult?”
“No.”
She stood, giving him an out to leave. “By the way, Lady Daphne’s family have arrived, and they will be attending tonight.”
“Interesting. I wonder what her father will think of her behavior.”
“I think you’ll see a side of her never before seen.”
“How’s that?” Arthur asked.
“She’ll be quieter and more respectful. I understand her father wants to see her married.”
“All fathers want to see their daughters married. Hopefully with a decent man.” Arthur cut his statement short. He reminded himself he was sure his sister had never forgiven their father for forcing her to marry at a young age. It had been a marriage made in hell.
“I agree, but hopefully we’ve passed arranged marriages and now couples have a choice on who should be their spouse.”
“Exactly.”
“Go before you get entrapped by one of the younger guests. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Thank you.” He bent down and kissed her on the cheek before turning and walking quickly through the house and the front door.
Luckily for Arthur, he ran into no one while leaving. He’d been afraid of running into one of the young guests. That would have meant being polite and conversing with them for a few moments. That scenario could lead to more young ladies joining them.
Knowing Midnight needed a good run, he found a trail off the road.
Technically on Graham’s property, it was a convenient route the pair had used many a time.
As grown men, they still used it. He urged the stallion to the opening until they made it through the brush and tree lined path until they came upon one of his meadows.
If he’d turned left, he would have ended up deeper into Graham’s land.
Arthur nudged the stallion into a canter before giving him the reins and letting the animal pick up speed.
Midnight ran faster and faster as the wind swept across Arthur’s face.
He loved the cooling breeze on his skin.
It was an escape from reality. As a young boy, Arthur had done the exact same thing, many times.
As they neared the orchard, he picked up the reins and slowed the stallion down.
He would let the horse rest here for a few minutes while he found some apples to give Midnight as a treat.
Pulling a knife out of his boot, Arthur began slicing up an apple he’d procured from a nearby tree.
He cut the fruit into chunks to offer the stallion.
Midnight greedily took each slice offered from Arthur’s hand until they were all done.
Slipping the knife back in its place, he continued on to the stables.
Once they arrived, he handed the stallion over to one of the stable boys and handed the boy an extra apple. “See he gets a good grooming. You can give him this apple and extra rations later when you feed. I’ll be needing the carriage around seven this evening.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Arthur patted the black on his neck and walked away. He took the path leading to the gardens and terrace. The sun was warming on his back as he continued walking. He needed to make the most of the afternoon before he had to return to Graham and Roxanne’s house party.
He walked into the house, poured himself a whiskey before he found himself in the music room where the piano sat.
He sat down on the bench, took a sip of whiskey before finding a sheet of music he thought he’d practice on, playing some scales and easy pieces to warm up for the difficult piece he’d chosen.
Beethoven was one of his favorite composers along with Mozart, though he found his music a little on the somber side.
He began with one of Beethoven’s sonatas.
He played it twice, making sure it was perfect.
Another of the composer’s sonatas was captivating with Arthur’s interpretation.
Once he finished with the two, he took a long sip of the whiskey and began with one of Mozart’s lesser-known pieces.
After playing it through several times, he deemed himself satisfied with his playing.
He raised to his full height, whiskey in hand, and sat down on one of the musical themed chairs.
His mother had redecorated the music room, making it far more inviting than the way the previous duchess had done it.
Before he knew what happened, he fell asleep, waking up to the sound of his valet trying to rouse him.
“Your Grace, you must bathe and change before you return to the festivities.”
“Yes, I remember. I guess I was tired and fell asleep.”
“You’ve been quite busy. I’m surprised you haven’t done it more than now.”
“Me too. It’s not often I have time on my hands. I’ll be up in a few minutes, so go ahead and draw the hot water.”
“Your Grace,” he replied and left the room.
Still seated, Arthur rubbed his hands through his hair and then beard.
He found himself once again thinking of Lady Daphne.
He imagined she wasn’t happy about her parents’ visit.
The visit would cramp her lifestyle severely after being allowed to stay on her own.
He bit back a laugh at the sight of her, parents and brother in tow, and how she would sulk because she had grown accustomed to her own freedom.
*
People were gathered in the ballroom which had been turned into a place to host the dinner buffet.
Tables were placed about one end of the room with the buffet against the far wall, where staff could easily replenish dishes without disturbing the guests.
At the other end of the room, there were orange and lemon trees placed like a small grove.
Looking around the room, he saw Graham speaking with Lady Daphne’s father, Viscount Andover, and an older gentleman whom he did not recognize.
“Are you ready to lead us to dinner?” Roxanne said, standing next to him. “Thank you again for doing this.”
“My pleasure. That’s what brothers are for. Who is that older gentleman with Viscount Andover and Graham? I don’t recognize him.”
“Shocking. He is Cecil Black, Earl of Bath. I wonder if Daphne’s father has found who he considers the perfect man to marry his rebellious daughter.”
“He is about twenty years her senior by looking at him.”
Roxanne stifled a giggle. “Yes, at least.”