Chapter Thirteen #3
“No, Thursday,” Freya explained. “As I said previously, Miss Whitchurch’s father arrives today.
He is currently teaching in Oxford, but he was a vicar for many years.
I thought perhaps Mr. Whitchurch and Uncle Philip would have much in common.
Miss Whitchurch wishes me to come to her tomorrow.
Several of His Lordship’s associates from the Home Office will come tomorrow also.
The happy couple will host a large supper on Wednesday to which you are invited.
The wedding is Thursday morning. I would leave Thursday afternoon or Friday morning, whichever is most convenient. ”
“Will the younger Lord Graham attend?” her aunt asked.
“I do not know with any assurance,” Freya admitted.
“I did not have the opportunity even to take the acquaintance of the woman who appears to be the younger Lord Pitcairn’s betrothed.
The donkey was being contrary, and the elder Lord Graham stopped to assist. Then Lord Pitcairn and Lady Rhonda arrived at the scene in a gig and sitting very cozily together.
Lord Graham assisted me when the donkey took off on its own.
Once we returned to where both his horse and his younger brother awaited, His Lordship handed me the note from Miss Whitchurch, and I returned to the vicarage.
I have no idea what transpired between the brothers and the lady. ”
“Did you wish to know what occurred?” her aunt asked with a lift of her brows.
“It is all a large hubbub,” Freya declared.
“The elder Lord Graham supposedly approached Lady Rhonda Hightower’s father several years back, but was refused.
” Realizing she should not have told her aunt this, for Freya should have no knowledge of this, she added, “At least that is what I have been previously told by Miss Whitchurch and the others. Now, the woman is engaged to His Lordship’s younger brother, Lord Pitcairn. ”
“Was not Lord Pitcairn aware of his older brother’s interest in the woman?” her aunt asked. Freya knew Aunt Felicity always loved a bit of gossip.
“I cannot say with confidence. It is my assumption the elder was refused and that was less than a handful of years removed. I recall when father attended Lord Hightower’s funeral, but I cannot recall the year.
” The realization of what she said meant that Aaran Graham could have spoken the truth about Lady Rhonda and the woman’s quick need to marry well.
“Perhaps His Lordship’s objection to his younger brother’s arrangement with the woman has something to do with more than a broken heart. ”
“All this mixing of families is assuredly quite odd,” her aunt observed. “What you said suggests that Lord and Lady Rayland, or perhaps, simply Lady Rayland, wishes to punish the elder Lord Graham.”
“It does, does it not?” Freya remarked, but her mind was on the mystery of Lady Rayland’s actions. From Freya’s first impression of the woman, she believed Her Ladyship was capable of a variety of sins.
“That girl is forever placing herself in danger,” Boyde observed as Lady Freya’s cart turned to cross the narrow bridge leading to the vicarage.
“Perhaps,” Lady Rhonda said in sweet tones, but Aaran heard the touch of venom, nevertheless, “Lady Freya wants your brother’s attention. Women often fake danger to gain a gentleman’s response.”
Aaran said with equally mocking sweetness in his voice, “I disagree. In my few interactions with the lady over the last six months or so, Lady Freya has been nothing but open and truthful in her interactions.” Aaran immediately knew his words were accurate: Lady Freya wished him to court her and be damned if her father refused.
Aaran had been the one who was cautious, for he would not wish Lady Freya ever to regret a joining between them, but she had repeatedly professed her intention to pursue him.
She had told his brothers’ wives of her choice, and they were women Aaran respected and who he knew wanted only the best for him.
They were women who had aided Lady Freya in coming to Kent.
Therefore, with a lift of his brows, Aaran asked, “Did she not read you the riot act, Boyde, when you accused her of trespassing on Rayland’s land?”
“My mother spoke to her about her zealous reactions,” Boyde confessed.
Aaran attempted to keep his anger under control. “You spoke to Lady Rayland regarding Lady Freya?”
“I reported the incident to His Lordship and my mother,” his brother responded with a deep frown of obvious confusion. “Mother was concerned that I was out alone in an area with which I was still unfamiliar.”
“I see,” Aaran said. “Her Ladyship thought it acceptable for you to be in London with all its temptations, but it was not acceptable for you to call upon those who Rayland employs to tend to the religious needs of his tenants. Such seems more than a bit askew to me. Next time, I will permit either your stepfather or your mother to deal with your debts to Mrs. Dove-Lyon when you think that an evening out with your mates proves you to be a man.” Aaran turned his horse to return to Thom Manor, but not before he noted how both Boyde and Lady Rhonda flinched with the power of his rebuke.