Chapter 14 #2
“About the marriage. I hoped you brought me out here to give me your blessing.”
“I have not decided yet.”
Alfred looked visibly deflated. His features became ashen, and then they hardened.
“I must be honest with you, brother. I don’t like this.”
“It is not a matter of whether you like it or not. This is just the way things have to be. It is tradition.”
“But surely you have spent enough time with the family to make a judgment now? Especially after today. They are a good sort, eager to have fun. I know Edmund can be a little cavalier with his opinions, but I’d rather that than have someone who is reticent and hides himself away.”
Nathaniel wondered if this was a slight directed at him, but he decided to let it pass without comment.
“I would not wish to make a rash decision. I am weighing everything carefully, and I assure you that I will come to a decision that is best for you.”
“But it’s you who gets to determine that. Why shouldn’t I be able to decide that for myself?”
Nathaniel could hear the agitation in Alfred’s voice.
“Be careful, Alfred. You forget your position.”
Alfred sighed and shook his head.
“Brother, there are times when I admire your discipline and self-control. You have complete faith in your convictions and are never plagued with doubt. But sometimes, I wish that you could make room in your heart for emotions that trouble the rest of us. If you knew the agony of love, the ache of yearning, then I’m sure you would not torture me like this. ”
Nathaniel arched an eyebrow.
“And that is precisely why the decision is left in my hands. I shall not be influenced by raw emotion. There is more at stake than your heart, Alfred. There is the family to consider.”
“May I ask what precisely is wrong with them? They are all willing to make an effort here. Lady Lydia is becoming more comfortable by the day. It was lovely to see her join in the game, and Her Grace, the Dowager Duchess, is eager to ingratiate herself with Mother. You have developed a healthy rivalry with Charlotte, too.”
Nathaniel wasn’t sure he would call it healthy.
“Brother, please have faith in my judgment. What do you make of Lady Charlotte?”
“Charlotte?” Alfred asked to confirm. Nathaniel inclined his head, so Alfred continued, “She is intelligent and forthright. Mary speaks highly of herself. The two of them have long been friends, helping support each other through difficult times. Mary has been distraught in recent years, of course, but she told me how Charlotte’s kindness and compassion helped buoy her heart. ”
“I see. She possesses a sharp tongue, though.”
Alfred grinned and cast a sly look toward Nathaniel.
“Are you afraid that you are no longer the most intelligent person in the room?” he chortled. Nathaniel’s cheeks turned crimson. He gripped the reins more tightly and pulled ahead of Alfred. Bastion leaped over a narrow stream. Hermes was just a heartbeat behind.
“Have I struck too close to the quick?” Alfred cried out, his laughter fading.
“Certainly not,” Nathaniel snapped. His body moved up and down, undulating with Bastion’s natural rhythm. His legs ached as he gripped tightly with his thighs, but he embraced the pain, making it a part of him. Somehow, it seemed easier to cope with thoughts of Charlotte.
“I think it is. Has my brother, the Iron Duke, met his match?”
“You know I detest that moniker. And I certainly do not think of Lady Charlotte as a match by any stretch of my imagination. She is willful, obstinate, unpredictable, and she seems to think she can live by whatever rules she chooses.”
“Aside from being unpredictable, some might describe you in the same way.”
Nathaniel brought Bastion to a halt at this, twisting the horse around.
Hooves skidded in soft mud, and Alfred pulled Hermes up as well.
He didn’t have as strong a seat as Nathaniel, so when Hermes’ hooves slid in the mud as the horse came to a sudden stop, he was nearly jolted out of the saddle.
He managed to regain his balance at the last moment.
“There is no need to insult me just because you are unhappy that I have not made a decision yet. There are many things to consider, and these jibes are not endearing you to me. I fear you have been spending too much time with the Duke of Stonewood.”
Alfred lifted his gaze.
“Are you going to be this rigid for the rest of your life?”
“Yes. As for Lady Charlotte, I’m sure there is a man who possesses the endless patience that joining her in matrimony would require. I would prefer a more traditional choice, such as the one my mother has made for me. I am sure she has chosen a suitable bride, one who is exactly as I want.”
Alfred studied Nathaniel for a few moments. As Nathaniel felt the weight of his brother’s gaze, he almost sensed pity in Alfred’s eyes.
“Brother, you may soon learn that with marriage, what you want is less important than what you need. I hope you do not learn that lesson too late. If you don’t mind, I shall take my leave of you now. I believe there will be more jovial company back at the house.”
With that, Alfred gave a low whistle to summon Hermes and mounted up. Chunks of dirt were kicked up as the horse galloped away. Nathaniel leaned forward and stroked Bastion’s mane, finding the motion calming. He turned his gaze to the wider horizon and breathed deeply, pondering Alfred’s words.
In the end, he shook his head. There was simply no world in which he would ever consider Charlotte to be a good match. She was stubborn and rude and did not act like a lady at all. How could such a scandalous woman be adored by everyone? Was there something he was missing?
He felt as though he was at an art exhibition, standing in front of a painting that everyone else was cooing and murmuring over, expressing their admiration, while he found it plain.
Not that Charlotte could ever be described as plain. Her eyes were vivid; her face was always expressive. Even when she was sitting still, there was a sense of motion about her, as if she possessed the fundamental essence of life itself.
Just as thoughts of her close face crept into his mind, he shook his head and turned Bastion around. He rode faster this time, wanting to feel the air whip his face, hoping that it would be akin to the refreshing burst of cold water.
By the time he returned to the stables, Alfred had already entered the house. The stable hands helped him dismount and took Bastion from him. Nathaniel exited the stables and found Clara standing nearby, looking at the horses.
It vexed him that she ran about the house wherever she wanted, but he chose a more diplomatic tack on this occasion.
Clara stiffened when she saw him, anticipating a telling-off.
“Lady Clara are you well?” he asked, bowing deeply. Clara giggled at this official address and performed a curtsy for him. “I wanted to congratulate you on the point you scored today. You performed very well in the game.”
“Thank you! You did as well. Except at the end when you hit the ball away.”
“I believe it was Charlotte who—never mind,” Nathaniel caught himself, not wishing to get involved in an argument with Clara.
He invited her to walk back into the house with him and was glad when she agreed.
It annoyed him that someone, even a child, could prefer Charlotte’s company over his.
At least he was on something of an even playing field again.
Clara almost broke into a run, but Nathaniel gently chided her.
“Perhaps it would be better to walk at a slower pace. That way, you can take everything in, rather than rushing by and missing everything,” he said, placing a hand on her shoulder. Clara gave him a sheepish grin and nodded.
He smirked, thinking that perhaps he had given Charlotte more credit than she was due. After all, taking care of children was clearly not as difficult as he had imagined. As for Hector and Brutus, well, they must have been swept away by the novelty.
Nathaniel was far too prudent to feel anything like this, however. In fact, he was quite sure the time would soon come when he wouldn’t think of Charlotte at all.
At least that’s what he told himself.