Chapter 19
GARRETT NEEDED TIME
Garrett needed time alone, and furthermore, Natalie was not ready yet to abandon Aunt Eleanor. What a shock it must have been to see the image of a brother who’d been dead for many years. How many years, she wondered.
With Aunt Eleanor leaning heavily upon her, Natalie escorted her to the chamber she always stayed in while visiting.
As one of their more elaborate guestrooms, it boasted a small sitting area.
Natalie assisted the suddenly frail woman to the comfortable settee.
She then fetched a shawl from the dressing room, wrapped it about Aunt Eleanor’s shoulders, and finally reached for the bell pull.
When one of the housemaids arrived, Natalie ordered tea and sandwiches.
She did not think her godmother would be up to partaking nuncheon downstairs with company.
Content in each other’s silence, Lady Eleanor rested her eyes while Natalie drifted over to the window.
Gazing out upon the landscaped gardens, she contemplated her own brothers and how she would grieve if something tragic were to befall any of them.
And she’d been blessed with four of them!
As much of a blight as they might be, they were each, every one of them, so very dear.
And in what was becoming a normal occurrence these last few days, her thoughts returned to Garrett. He had been very quiet examining the paintings. But, watching him, she’d known he was greatly affected. Each time they’d revealed another painting, she’d sensed a new wave of emotion sweep over him.
He’d never known his mother. She knew his mother had died in childbirth. Garrett Castleton had lived most of his life alone in this world.
When the maid arrived with a tray of food and tea, Natalie poured cups for them both, adding liberal amounts of cream and sugar to Aunt Eleanor’s.
Leaving the sandwiches untouched, they drank quietly for several minutes.
It was Lady Eleanor who finally broke the silence.
“He died in a duel,” she said. And then, almost as an afterthought, added, “With the late Earl of Hawthorne.”
Natalie swallowed her tea and sat up straighter than normal. She could not help imagining one of her brothers being killed on the field of honor. Or her father. Or Garrett. It was every woman’s greatest fear. Honor be damned.
“The old earl killed your brother?”
With a resigned nod, Lady Sheffield leaned into the cushioned back of the settee and rehashed the great scandal of 1793.
“I am not a lady by birth,” she began. “I came by my title through marriage to my late husband. We were gentry, not nobility. My brother, Arthur, was a barrister.
“Lady Cordelia was the only child of a duke. Naturally, her family had high expectations for her. Throughout her youth, they anticipated her marrying an earl or higher. Perhaps a viscount if the title was an old one and the estate very wealthy.
“Knowing this, one would have expected her to be very high in the instep, nose in the air. But I came to know her as a lively, tenderhearted, and delightful young woman.
“My brother and Broderick, your father, befriended one another at Eton. After your father became the earl, he did not sever the connection as many others might have.
“If not for your parents, Arthur and I never would have come to know Lady Cordelia. We attended many ton events, and Lady Cordelia came to be one of my closest friends. At these same social gatherings, Arthur and Cordelia developed an attachment to one another.”
Wiping a tear from her face, Lady Eleanor went on. “I blame myself for Arthur’s death. Thinking it romantic and exciting, I made it possible for them to spend time together alone. I distracted our chaperones, and they fell in love.
“So very, very stupid. Arrogant of me to think with my help, true love would conquer all. If I’d but known what the consequence would be, I would have done everything in my power to keep them apart.”
Natalie reached out and covered the woman’s powdered dry hand with her own.
“They attempted to elope.” Lady Eleanor shook her head sadly. “Sometimes, I think it was the bravest and most wonderful thing Lady Cordelia ever did, whereas the worst decision she ever made was to tell her maid.
“Lord Hawthorne and the duke apprehended them a mere twenty miles out of the city. Arthur’s second-hand carriage and pair of old hacks were no match for the duke’s magnificent team. They were overcome a few hours after they attempted their escape.”
Natalie surmised the situation. “And the earl challenged your brother?”
“He did.” Reaching for a sandwich, Lady Eleanor took a moment to chew the fine meats and fresh baked bread.
“My brother loathed the notion of fighting. But he had no choice. As the challenged, he chose the weapon.” She looked over at Natalie.
“My brother was an academic his entire life. He was slim and fit; he was not brawny.”
“He chose pistols,” Natalie guessed.
“He did.” Setting the crust of her sandwich back down on a small plate, Lady Eleanor brushed some crumbs from her hands. “The irony is he drew before Hawthorne. The first shot was his.”
“He deloped?” Natalie asked.
“Yes. Shot straight into the air. But the earl, such a horrible man—evil—aimed right at dear Arthur’s heart.
” Taking another sip of her tea with a shaking hand, Lady Eleanor came to the end of her tale.
“And shortly afterwards Lady Cordelia and Lord Hawthorne married and then retreated to Maple Hall. I never saw her again. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same of Lord Hawthorne. And then what he tried to do to my very own niece, to Lilly…”
Lilly was lucky to be alive.
“I met the man on a few occasions but never came to know him in any way. I must admit, I am thankful. He sounds like the devil himself!”
“He was.”
Natalie felt utterly drained. She was shocked and exhausted by the recounting of Mr. Winter’s death. “Would you care to rest a while, Aunt Eleanor?” Natalie stood, preparing to take her leave.
Her godmother grasped her hand. “Natalie, Garrett Castleton will be a wonderful earl. He will bring honor back to his inheritance. Do not judge him by the acts of his father.”
Natalie looked into the woman’s watery eyes. “Of course.”
Walking back to her own chamber, Natalie shivered. Garrett’s own father was a murderer. He had murdered more than once. He would have killed Lilly if she hadn’t escaped first.
Were such traits hereditary? Before she could even contemplate the notion, the memory of Baby Bear licking Garrett’s hand intruded into her thoughts.
Garrett was not like his father. He was not!
Upon reaching her doorway, she nearly ran right into Marcus as he exited Garrett’s room.
“Forgive me, Natalie! My lady,” he corrected himself with a wink.
“Why are you rushing about?” At sixes and sevens, her good humor escaped her in that moment.
But Marcus was oblivious. In fact, bursting at the seams with excitement, he rushed to tell her his news.
“I cannot thank you enough for suggesting to your mother that I valet for His Lordship.” A grin spread across his face.
“I am to valet for him henceforth! He has asked me to travel with him to Maple Hall and take up the position permanently. We leave at first light tomorrow.”
It was odd, experiencing both sadness and joy at the same time. Knowing Marcus was leaving hurt nearly as much as Joseph marrying. Except with Joseph, she had gained a sister, and hopefully would one day have nieces and nephews to look forward to.
But with Marcus—well, he was simply leaving. Leaving her behind.
Oh, but she was so pleased for him. He’d always wanted this! And she could take a certain comfort in knowing he would be watching out for Lord Hawthorne.
Garrett needed taking care of, loath as the man would ever be to admit it.
Natalie clasped both of Marcus’s hands in hers. “Oh, Marcus, that is wonderful! I will miss you, but I am so pleased. Lord Hawthorne is lucky to have you.”
“My pa is proud near to bursting,” he said sheepishly.
“And His Lordship is not overly demanding or fussy. I think we will get on together very well.” He turned her hands so that they were cradled in his.
“Aside from my pa, I will miss you the most. You have always treated me as a friend. I will remember you fondly. I hope you will think fondly of me as well.”
Feeling a little awkward, because their relationship had always consisted more of teasing and pestering, Natalie smiled back at Marcus.
“You know that I will, and of course you will return to visit your pa every so often. This is not goodbye; it is farewell.” She pulled her hands back to her sides.
“And please try not to cut the earl’s face too much or tie his cravats into anything a dandy would ever wear. ” The teasing felt more normal.
“I shall make certain he never appears looking anything but a perfect gentleman,” he promised and then, walking backward, added, “I already have the earl’s belongings prepared for travel, but I’ve my own belongings to pack this afternoon.”
“Well, off with you then, Marcus. And…congratulations. I think you are going to do wonderfully. You are the perfect valet for Lord Hawthorne.”
And so, Marcus, too, would be leaving her.
Natalie entered her room and then called for a maid to assist her in donning her riding habit. She could not stay in the house this afternoon. She needed to take flight. A good ride was what she needed.
Garrett did not allow himself to grieve for long.
Shaken by his emotional outburst, he put himself to the task at hand and resealed the paintings as they’d been before.
Refusing assistance from the servant who’d been sent by the countess, he did his best to secure each crate so that the contents would be protected, even if exposed to rain on the journey to Maple Hall.
Lastly, he returned the dresses and drawings to the large trunk.
Not even a quarter full, it posed no difficulty as Garrett carried it outside to the back of the carriage house where his traveling coach was parked.
By late afternoon, he’d packed everything securely.
The physical labor had been just what he needed.
Satisfied that preparations were complete, Garrett went around to the other side of the carriage house to check in on Rumble.
The horse was just finishing off the apple Garrett had brought for him when Natalie appeared atop a gorgeous chestnut mare.
Sitting sidesaddle in a regal posture, she looked magnificent.
Of course, as Ravensdale’s daughter, she would be an excellent equestrian.
Garrett waved the groom away as she rode over to the mounting block so he could assist her down himself.
Flushed from her exertions, she brushed away some wisps of hair that had escaped from beneath her riding hat.
Her eyes burned bright, even as they looked at him warily.
He gave her his hand so she could dismount from the impractical sidesaddle—another stupid and cruel societal standard. Not only was it hazardous for the women riding but it also endangered the horse.
Natalie addressed the groom who had stepped back. “She behaved beautifully today, Tobias.” The horse was covered in sweat. She’d not ridden for leisure.
“I’ll rub her down, my lady.” The groom took the horse’s reins to walk her back to the paddocks. He patted the mare fondly.
Accusing eyes met Garrett’s. “You are returning to Maple Hall tomorrow?”
Garrett nodded. Best to leave Natalie to her parents, and to their…dukes. She deserved a proper husband and a proper family—two things he was unable and unwilling to give.
He ignored the urge to remove her hat and pull out the pins restraining the rest of her hair. Nor would he carry her up to the loft and lay her down in the hay.
“You have hired Marcus. I think it’s wonderful for both of you.” She didn’t fool him with the false cheer in her voice. And the sadness behind her gaze belied the poor attempt at a smile.
Ah, yes, he would put an end to this attachment they had formed.
He would return to his room, go over some reports, dress for dinner, and then retire for the night before making the journey to Maple Hall tomorrow.
He did not plan on stopping. It would make for a long day, but barring any complications, they ought to arrive before darkness set in.
He would tell her goodbye and then set himself to the challenges that lay ahead. He would not allow himself to be alone with her. He would not allow himself to touch her.
“Walk with me?” he said, reaching out a hand. Reports be damned.
She did not move. Raising her lashes, she searched his eyes.
And then she reached out and took his hand. “Yes,” she said.