Chapter Two
Freya had smiled easily on the young woman.
It was as if, at least for a few minutes, Lady Annalise Dutton had read Freya’s mind.
Since the first time Freya had viewed Lord Aaran Graham standing with two other gentlemen outside of Parliament, her interest in His Lordship had piqued, though she could not name the rhyme nor the reason for her slight obsession.
On that particular day, Freya had occupied her father’s coach, sharing the space with her mother and her older sister.
Her father had been called back to Parliament for an important vote, and so they waited.
They were expected at Lord Dickerson’s home to take the acquaintance of His Lordship’s parents.
This was before Imelda, Freya’s elder sister, had become Dickerson’s betrothed and now his bride.
Two men had been standing together near the bottom of the steps before the House of Parliament.
It was nearing twilight, but it was still light enough for her to view the pair.
The coach’s door had been left open because Freya’s mother was always complaining of being overheated, and Freya could view the gentlemen quite easily.
Neither spoke to her taste in men, though both were quite handsome.
She was prepared to look away when she spotted Lord Graham.
He picked his way down Parliament’s steps to where the others waited.
At first, she thought the gentleman used the cane as a fashion accessory, like the infamous Beau Brummell and his cohorts, but then she noted the slightest of limps.
She marveled at how His Lordship had adjusted his stride and the speed of his steps to prevent what would be a lurch-like stumbling by any other man.
Instead of knowing repulsion, Freya’s interest in the man grew quickly.
Afterwards, she had gathered every bit of information she could find on the gentleman, which was more difficult than what one might expect. Now, she was to step into his carriage and actually converse with him.
“My lady,” the gentleman said from where she and Lady Annalise handed Lord Graham’s footman another bag to fit into the boot of His Lordship’s carriage. “Permit me to assist you.”
Lord Graham extended a gloved hand to Freya, and she was immediately sorry he had chosen to don his gloves. She had read enough tales of that special zing felt between a man and woman when they touched hands for the first time to wish to know the experience herself.
“I believe we have retrieved enough of the luggage to lighten your father’s coach significantly,” His Lordship said as he supported Freya on the steps of his coach.
Freya looked up at him and noted the scar upon the upper part of his cheek and another notch of a scar on the downward crest of his upper lip. It made his smile appear to be full of mischief. Her own smile widened.
Lady Annalise was quick on Freya’s heels. Freya heard the lady say, “You shall have a full table this evening, my lord.”
“We will, my lady. You may serve as hostess. It will be excellent practice for your time as Beaufort’s wife,” Lord Graham told Lady Annalise.
“You know such prospects frighten me. What if I embarrass Beaufort?” Lady Annalise chastised while wearing a look of concern that spoke to the pair’s ease in conversing with each other.
“You are perfect for Beaufort, my dear,” Lord Graham declared. “I have been telling everyone so for what feels forever.”
Lady Annalise blushed thoroughly and ignored Lord Graham’s compliment. Instead, the lady instructed, “Tell us something about you, Lady Freya?” They were seated side by side.
Freya knew she also blushed, but she said, “There is not much to tell. My father’s estate is farther north near Ayrshire, which was our destination today.
” She shrugged. “My parents are more traditional in how they have raised both my sister and me. I have yet to have a Season, for I was made to wait until my elder sister married. She was betrothed to Lord Dickerson and recently married the viscount, though I suppose, at least Lord Graham was aware of those facts.”
“A London Season is not required for marriage,” Lady Annalise declared. “Lord Graham can confirm that none of his brothers proposed to a woman who had enjoyed a London Season.”
“Is that true, my lord?” Freya asked the earl just to hear him speak.
“Lady Emma Donoghue married our Lord Richard Orson. Her parents are diplomats in the Netherlands. The lady came to Orson’s notice because the new Lady Orson believes in women having more rights.
At my suggestion, Her Ladyship proposed to my brother outside of White’s, where they first met when she was protesting with others,” Lord Graham said with another crooked smile, that Freya was discovering to be quite addictive.
“Then came Lord Marksman, who is Lady Annalise’s brother. Marksman will marry our Lord Duncan’s daughter, Theodora. Duncan’s wife died years ago, and His Lordship is a very busy man…”
“And too protective of his daughter,” Lady Annalise added.
“True, but your brother loves our Dora,” His Lordship responded with a lift of his eyebrow in a mild warning.
“As long as Lady Theodora treats Alexander well, I will have no complaints,” Lady Annalise warned while Freya wondered if there was a bit of ill will between Lady Annalise and her brother’s wife.
“Obviously, as they are marrying in Scotland before departing for Ireland, our Beaufort and Lady Annalise did not wait for Her Ladyship to know a London Season.”
“Though in fairness,” Lady Annalise argued, “Beaufort said he would wait until spring. It was my choice to marry now.”
“You will be a beautiful bride, my girl. Both Irishmen and Scots adore a woman with your coloring,” His Lordship declared.
Like it or not, Freya knew a bit of jealousy. She also possessed red hair. Could he not give her a compliment while presenting one to Lady Annalise?
As if His Lordship had read her mind, he said, “You and Lady Freya could be sisters, my dear girl.”
Lady Annalise smiled on Freya. “We could, could we not?”
Freya wished to agree, but she thought they might think her too bold. She did resemble Lady Annalise more than she did her own sister Imelda. Instead, she said, “That is only three of your brothers, my lord.”
“So it is,” he said with another smile. Freya had always thought perhaps Lord Graham would possess a sour disposition.
He had known injuries and rejection, but he still smiled often.
She thought such proved what she had observed of the man.
He was essentially amiable. “Our Lord Thompson will not marry until the second week of February. Like Orson did with Lady Emma, my brother Benjamin has accepted Miss Whitchurch’s proposal.
Benjamin is sometimes too cautious, and the lady likely became weary from the delay.
” Another mischievous grin accompanied His Lordship’s story.
“Your brothers sound like they each preferred a woman who knows her own mind.” Freya found she liked this easy banter between His Lordship, Lady Annalise, and her.
Freya never thought she would feel so comfortable in such conversations.
“Did you propose to Lord Beaufort, my lady?” she asked in curiosity.
“No,” Lady Annalise admitted, “but I had seriously thought about doing so, except… Well, it is a long story.” The lady sighed audibly and accompanied the gesture with a small shrug.
“Back to our Miss Whitchurch and Lord Thompson,” Lady Annalise said to turn the subject, and Freya did not press her for more information.
“The lady has known a family loss. Our Victoria’s younger sister died shortly after giving birth.
The sister’s husband has been lost in battle on the Continent.
Out of respect for both, Lord Thompson and Miss Whitchurch have agreed to wait for six months of grieving for both Lieutenant Chase and Mrs. Chase before marrying.
They will raise the boy in their household and provide the child an education and, hopefully, a fulfilling occupation. ”
“How sad, but how lovely at the same time,” Freya remarked softly. “Will it be a society wedding, like the others?” she asked to continue the conversation.
“No,” Lord Graham was quick to say. “Both Miss Whitchurch’s father and Thompson’s late father were vicars.
My brother and Miss Whitchurch will marry in the same church where his father practiced upon Thompson’s estate, as I mentioned previously, during the second week of February.
Lady Annalise will stand up with Miss Whitchurch, and I am to stand with Thompson. ”
“I feel very privileged,” Lady Annalise declared.
“Soon, it will only be you, Lord Graham,” Freya observed without considering her words, but she noticed the slight flinch of His Lordship’s shoulders, as if he thought her words those of criticism.
“There are few in English society who would consider living in Scotland part of the year and England the rest as a good bargain in a marriage,” he said as if to protect his pride, but Freya knew she would have no such complaints if she were so fortunate to earn Lord Graham’s affections.
As they traveled, Aaran only half listened to the chatter between Lady Annalise and Lady Freya.
Though he would enjoy having his share of the conversation, he was equally satisfied simply to watch the two ladies in the early stages of friendship.
Aaran was very aware of how Cunningham likely treated his youngest child, for he had viewed the earl’s treatment of his wife on more than one occasion.