Chapter Twelve #2
With pointed ducal finger, he shouted, “Out!”
Tony left his brother’s office knowing that they had not exactly made things right with each other.
He no doubt thought Tony had brought up the subject of Ashtonvale on purpose, but he had been concerned.
His brother was showing signs of overworking and he feared his health might decline if he did not find a way to handle his workload better.
It was a lovely day to promenade. Lucinda and Marianne sat in the duke’s open coach, Lord Dunstan and Tony riding on opposite sides of the coach.
She guessed it proved that her guardian could indeed ride.
In fact, he looked like a natural in the saddle.
Strong thighs hugged the saddle, his hands casual yet assured on the reins.
She should be admiring Lord Dunstan, and she did; it was just her gaze kept returning to Tony looking so handsome in his blue superfine jacket and top hat.
She, of course, could not ride. If they needed to go to the village, Miss Covington would accompany the girls as they walked the mile and a half there and back.
Perhaps once she was married, her husband might teach her.
“Miss Sterling, I wonder, if the weather is congenial and you have no other plans may we at some point come to Hyde Park and do some sketching or water coloring of the Serpentine and surrounds.”
Lucinda looked at Marianne before she replied. “That would be lovely. I will check with the dowager duchess when we return.”
He smiled and looked at her companion. “Lady Marianne, you must come also. Do you draw?”
“My sister is quite proficient with watercolors, my lord,” Tony said.
“What about you, Ashton?”
“I am better at the admiring than the practical aspects, I’m afraid.”
“Ah, well every artist must have admirers, don’t you agree, Lady Ashton?”
“I haven’t really shown anybody my work before, so I am not sure it is worth admiring at all.”
“Do not say such a thing. Every artist must start somewhere, and I already know you are a consummate admirer of good art.”
Of course, Marianne had picked his painting as her favorite at the exhibition and Dunstan had obviously not forgotten. Lucinda watched Marianne blush. She should have felt some sort of jealousy, but she did not.
“We shall have a merry party. Perhaps a picnic also?”
Marianne nodded and Lucinda smiled warmly. It was so nice to do something other than sitting in the parlor or attending yet another ball. “A wonderful idea, my lord.”
Dunstan smiled and Lucinda was struck by how a smile could change one’s features from fine to rather handsome.
He would be a good husband, she thought.
No doubt he would spend most of his time painting.
The earl did not appear to be interested in the more manly pursuits.
She had heard him in the parlor just this afternoon declining an invitation to Tattersalls and declaring he loved a good long walk and to be in nature. Inspiration for his art of course.
How would she spend her days if she were married to him?
She would have to run his house, but would it be a large town house like Warrington House or would he prefer to live in the country at a sprawling country house surrounded by tenant farmers and villagers with his mother? She was not sure what she would prefer.
In town, she would have to socialize and throw luncheons and soirees and maybe even a ball.
In the country, one would only be expected to run the house, go to church on Sunday, and visit the poor.
So much of her future felt uncertain. Lucinda was more convinced than ever that she would never be good enough for anyone.
Why was she trying to be someone she was not?
She may have been a gentleman’s daughter, and she certainly showed all the manners of a genteel woman, but she was no society lady.
So maybe she had no business trying to become one simply to obtain a family.
Could she not be happy just living with Marianne and her mother for a time instead of rushing into marriage?
They had arrived back at the house, and she had not even noticed. Lord Dunstan took his leave, and the coach pulled up in the mews behind the house. Doubts and concerns furrowed her brow.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Tony asked, helping her down.
“Oh, I was miles away.”
“They did not seem like happy thoughts. You were frowning.”
“It is nothing, I assure you.”
“I have something for you,” he whispered. “But I must give it to you in private. I hope that it will cheer you. Will you come to me tonight?”
“In your study?”
He laughed. “I think that would be very unwise. In the parlor.”
She hoped he could not see the disappointment in her face. It had been days since they had kissed, and it was all she could think about. “When?”
“After you return from the musicale.”
“Will you be attending?”
“I’m not sure yet. Do not be concerned if I do not make it.”
Inclining her head she asked, “Where do you go? What do you do?”
“I wish I could explain. Just know I will make every effort to be there.”
“It is not me you should be concerned about; your mother is quite put out when you disappear.”
“Do not worry about my mother. It is all in hand.”
“If you say so, but I do worry about… her.”
He tapped her on the nose and gave her one of his devastating smiles. The type that made the blood whoosh in her veins and her body hot all over. What was this effect he had on her?
What was it he wanted to give her? And why did it have to be given to her in private? Had he found out something about her father that he thought no one else should know about?
He left her at the stairs, and she made her way up to her room. There was a letter on her dressing table. She picked it up and examined the handwriting. It was from Miss Covington. Opening it she went over to the window where the light was better.
Dearest Lucinda
Thank you for writing to me to let me know you are well.
I must admit I was not happy about the way you were taken from us.
Why could he not have knocked on the door like a civilized person would do?
The girls were in quite a state, not to mention poor Pamela.
She thanks you for returning her clothes.
I am glad that you have found yourself a guardian who is willing to help you with your future and wish you nothing but happiness.
In answer to your question, Captain Markham did not give me a letter or any other message to keep for you. You were always a good girl, and I will always feel a tenderness towards you. If in the future you wish to write to me about your adventures in London I would be happy to receive them.
Yours sincerely
Lidia Covington
Lucinda sighed and folded the letter. Such a short letter compared to the six pages Lucinda had written to her.
She should not have been so surprised; Miss Covington had always been a woman of few words, but she was always kind in her own way.
Her mentor had been her last hope that her father had left any kind of explanation for his actions.
Lucinda would likely go to the grave without knowing and she had to come to terms with it.
When May arrived, it was time to change for the musicale. Lucinda liked music and looked forward to experiencing new things. Despite only having a pianoforte, Miss Covington still managed to create a lovely evening of singing and dancing, all for educational purposes.
The maid weaved some lovely violets into her hair to match her dress that had tiny violet flowers embroidered on it. It was a color she had never worn before but there were so many colors she had yet to discover would go with her hair.
Lady Belvedere was the hostess tonight, and her house was just around the corner, and as it was a mild night Marianne and Lucinda had persuaded the dowager to walk the short distance.
Two footmen accompanied them and left once they were safely inside.
The large parlor had been filled with chairs and there was a four-piece string ensemble arranged at one end.
They greeted a few people before finding a seat.
“Lord Dunstan is not here,” Marianne said. “I would have thought music would be something he would be interested in.”
“Perhaps it is but he had other commitments tonight. Do you think your brother will turn up tonight?”
“I do not know. He is very unreliable at times. To be honest we hardly see him when we come for the season. This is the most I have seen of him in years. He is usually off somewhere on business, but no one ever knows what that business is. I really do not understand why he must be so guarded about the whole thing. Sometimes he travels and we do not hear from him for months.”
“His position is quite odd. Do you think he will ever settle down?”
Marianne smiled. “And marry? I suppose anything is possible, though I doubt it.”
“He told me he would make a terrible husband. Do you think that is true?” Lucinda fiddled with her reticule so that Marianne could not read her expression, lest it give away her emotions on the subject.
“He is a handsome man, I suppose. He can have any woman’s attention, but he chooses to stay away from the debutantes as a rule.”
“Yes, he is very handsome.” His strong jawline and commanding nose were in total alignment with his mouth and chin. Symmetrical in every way, but it was his eyes that captured her every time he looked at her.
“But not as handsome as Lord Dunstan.”
Lucinda blinked, taken aback. “I thought you didn’t like him?”
Marianne looked at the flyer for tonight’s concert. “I do not, not like him. I have concluded that I was most likely mistaken about him. It was a long time ago. He has been nothing but a gentleman and seems quite taken with you.”
“Do you think so? Sometimes I am not sure who of us he is courting. He seems to like you as well.”
Taking up Lucinda’s hand, Marianne said, “I would never stand in your way if you have set your cap for him, Lucinda. Have you?”