Chapter Three
“T he carriage is out front, my lord,” Grigsby informed Julian as he entered the foyer, handing his employer his hat.
Placing it on his head, he went through the front door, opened by a footman, and climbed into his carriage. Four bays pulled it, and while Julian didn’t want to become caught up in material possessions, he did take pride in the look of those horses.
The vehicle drove to the nearby townhouse, and he didn’t know if he should get out and fetch Claibourne or if that was something a footman did. He waited, seeing a footman dash to the door and knock. Julian couldn’t help but be eager and yet apprehensive at meeting the marquess.
The door opened for a moment and closed again. He assumed the butler would inform Claibourne of Julian’s arrival. Moments later, the door opened again, and a man strode out, confidence evident in his step. Not wanting to be caught staring, Julian looked away as Claibourne approached and was admitted inside the carriage, sitting opposite its passenger. Only then did he take in his neighbor’s appearance.
Claibourne looked to be in his mid-twenties, handsome, with penetrating green eyes. His build was muscular and if he’d been dressed in a meaner fashion, Julian could have seen this man as a fellow dock or warehouse worker.
“I am Claibourne. Then again, you already know that,” the marquess said, his eyes twinkling. “My sister warned me that you would be a bit prickly, so what say you put that aside as we simply become acquainted?”
“I will apologize to Lady Ariadne again when I see her,” Julian said. “I was deep in thought and not expecting company when she stumbled across me yesterday. The park is private and from what I’d been told, neither of my neighbors was yet in residence. I am Aldridge, by the way.” He grinned. “But you already knew that. What else did your sister say of me?”
Lord Claibourne shrugged. “I would rather gather my own opinion of you and not parrot that of my sister.”
He liked hearing that. He liked this man, who seemed open and friendly. Yet Julian knew to be wary of others in the ton . Both his solicitors and valet had told him as much, and so he would remain guarded for now. All three men had urged him to keep his background to himself, and so he did not think he would be sharing his previous life with those he met.
“Then you sound as independent as Lady Ariadne,” he commented, causing the marquess to chuckle.
“If you think Ariadne has a mind of her own, you should meet Tia, another of my sisters. Lia, on the other hand, is much sweeter.”
“Do you have any brothers?” he inquired.
“I do not. I am the eldest and my father’s heir apparent. I will warn you now that I am a bear where my sisters are concerned, though. I will protect them from any threat.” He eyed Julian neutrally. “I haven’t decided if you are one or not.”
“I’m no threat to you or your sisters,” he insisted. “I was grumpy and made a bad start with your sister. I will not make that same mistake with you, my lord.”
“Good.” Claibourne offered his hand. “It is nice to meet you, Aldridge. How long have you held your title?”
“Since last summer,” he replied. “The previous Aldridge passed away, and the title came to me, a distant relative.” That was the story Paulson had encouraged him to tell, emphasizing that Julian should be vague when asked about his background, assuring his employer that most people wouldn’t press him for more information.
“I am sorry you lost your relative. Were you close?”
“Truthfully, I had not met Lord Aldridge until just prior to his death.” Turning the conversation away from that, he added, “I have spent these last several months in Surrey. Aldridge Manor is south of Guildford, and I wanted to see to my new tenants and the estate itself.”
“You enjoy the country?”
While his time in Surrey had been his first ever trip outside London, Julian had soon grown fond of it.
“Very much so. I enjoy the quiet of the country. This city never seems to sleep. It is nice to escape the noise and filthy streets and soak up the greenery of the countryside.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Claibourne said pleasantly. “Though I enjoy town, I prefer spending my time in the country.”
The marquess launched into details regarding his father’s estates, and Julian realized this man liked to work the land.
“You sound as though you are an active participant when you are in the country,” he noted.
“I am not shy about tossing off my coat and rolling up my shirtsleeves, if that is what you mean. Too many gentlemen in Polite Society do not know the nature of physical labor, nor do they appreciate the hard work their tenants put in on the land. I have worked alongside many of mine.” Claibourne paused. “By the look of you, I gather you have done the same.”
“I have no qualms participating in physical labor. I would not ask any of my tenants to do something that I am not willing to do myself.”
Claibourne smiled. “I find I already like you quite a bit, Aldridge. You are a man who says what he means.”
“Is there any other kind?”
His companion frowned. “All too often, I am afraid.” He glanced out the window. “I see we are here. Ariadne tells me you have yet to visit White’s.”
“I wasn’t sure if I held a membership.”
“You most certainly do. Probably at Brooks’s, as well, though I suggest you stick with White’s. Of course, both clubs revolve around gaming, gossip, and how well dressed you are.”
He frowned. “Then I’m not certain I’ll like either place.”
The door opened. Claibourne said, “Come on, Aldridge.” He descended the stairs which the footman had placed beside the door, and Julian followed him.
They went to the door and gained admittance, where Lord Claibourne told the man who greeted them, “This is the Marquess of Aldridge. He has been in the country seeing to affairs since he took up his title, but he is in town now for the Season and will be a frequent visitor here.”
“I am Pollard, my lord,” the man said. “I will help see that your needs are met any time you step inside White’s.”
When Julian looked blankly at him, Claibourne said, “He means in your choices of beverages. Newspapers. Games of chance. That sort of thing.”
Relief filled him. Having grown up in abject poverty in London, he was all too aware of certain types of houses which catered to the sexual needs and tastes of gentlemen.
“I prefer coffee over tea, though I will drink either provided to me. I read the newspapers voraciously, so you may always bring whatever is available. As for gaming? I don’t.”
Julian had seen too many others gamble away their wages, falling deeper and deeper into debt, being carted off to the poorhouse or worse, falling victim to violence when they could not repay their gambling debts. He had no interest in learning how to play various games, much less lose money over them.
“Very well, my lord.” Pollard took their hats. “And for evenings if you dine here? Any preference in food or drink?”
“I’m certain I’ll like whatever is brought to me.”
“I will show Lord Aldridge around, Pollard. Thank you. When we are done, please have coffee ready in the morning room by the staircase.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Claibourne gave him a tour of the club, which was fairly empty, introducing him to a handful of peers. While he was good at remembering faces, Julian had always had a hard time with names and was glad he only met a limited group of men. They visited the upper level, seeing an enormous coffee room, hall, gaming room, and dining hall. Returning to the ground floor, he viewed two more halls, a billiards room, and two morning rooms.
They settled into chairs. Immediately, a servant appeared with a tray. He placed cups and saucers in front of them, pouring for Claibourne first and adding cream to the beverage. Then the servant looked at him.
“How do you wish your coffee prepared, my lord?”
“Two sugars and a splash of cream, please.”
The servant added the requested items, stirring Julian’s coffee. “Anything else, my lords?”
“A couple of the raisin scones, Tommy,” Claibourne requested. “You know I have a weakness for them.”
The servant grinned. “Right away, my lord.”
They sipped their coffee. Soon, the scones arrived. Julian bit into his.
“I can see why you requested this. It’s delicious.”
For an hour, they talked of his estate and its particulars, with Julian sharing things he had done to improve it since his arrival. Claibourne mentioned traveling to several of his father’s estates and talked about the various crops and livestock raised on each. He couldn’t recall ever spending such a pleasant hour and didn’t feel the least bit inferior. If anything, Claibourne had made Julian feel most welcome.
“As more people arrive in anticipation of the Season, White’s will fill up. I will help introduce you to others if we are in one another’s company.”
“I truly appreciate you accompanying me today, my lord. I hope to be a frequent visitor here.”
“My closest friend is my cousin, Viscount Dyer. He will be here in the next week or so.”
“Then I look forward to meeting him.”
As they left White’s, Claibourne pointed out the betting book, noting it was a record of some of the more outrageous bets placed by members.
“As I mentioned, I am not one for gaming, so it’s of no concern to me.”
They returned to his carriage and pulled up in front of the duke’s townhouse.
“If you are free this afternoon, we would love to have you to tea,” the marquess told him. “I will tell my sister that you were a perfect gentleman during our time together. She will be curious and want to see if that behavior can last more than a few hours.”
Julian realized the man joked with him. “I’d be happy to come to tea, my lord, and I’ll be on my best behavior.”
Before he exited the vehicle, Claibourne said, “I know nothing of your background, Aldridge, and it is not my nature to pry. A word of advice, however. Stop using contractions. Others will take notice.”
He felt his face burn in embarrassment. Paulson had gotten onto Julian for that very thing, but it was a hard habit to break.
“I say it in all kindness,” Claibourne added. “Ariadne told me you had mentioned you were not of the world of Polite Society. Its members have sharp claws. I think you will do quite well when the Season begins. You are handsome and affable. You do possess good manners. And of course, you are a marquess. It is merely a bit of friendly advice.”
Nodding, Julian said, “Thank you, Claibourne. I’ll—I will be more conscious of my word choice in the future.”
“Then come at four for tea, Aldridge. I am looking forward to getting to know you better.”
As the door closed, Julian wanted to kick himself, yet he thought Claibourne had handled the matter delicately. If anything, he decided to model himself after the Marquess of Claibourne, who seemed to be a most decent fellow. He vowed to make a wonderful impression at tea this afternoon. If his neighbors, being a duke and duchess, could say kind things about him to others, it would ease Julian’s entry into Polite Society.
He would need all the help possible marching into that unknown world.