Chapter 14 #2
Roderick could not help but smirk. those men were having far too much fun, and yet, he knew that he would not be allowed into the card game completely sober, it just would not be fair.
He walked up to the bar and ordered an ale for himself and Mr. Bell.
The barkeep happily obliged, handing them heavy pours of the drinks.
Roderick turned to his friend when his eyes drifted.
At a table behind Mr. Bell, surrounded by friends, was one Lord Casterleigh. He was laughing at something one of the men had said.
“Do you want to join that table?” Mr. Bell asked pulling Roderick’s attention back.
“I think so,” he said absent mindedly. Mr. Bell nodded and they walked over. Lord Casterleigh saw them immediately and grinned.
“Well, well, well, look what riffraff walked in!” he laughed. “I jest, come, sit. I was about to deal out the next hand. Would you like to join in?”
“But of course,” Roderick nodded. “I did not come here just to spectate.”
“Good man,” Lord Casterleigh grinned. “I have to say,” he added as he dealt the cards, “I do fear we got off on the wrong foot. I can be rather inconsiderate after too much ale.”
“We are all allowed to be careless now and again,” Roderick said. “As long as it does not become a habit.”
“Oh, you are much too kind,” Lord Casterleigh chuckled.
“Not at all,” Roderick said picking up his hand.
The first few rounds were quiet. In truth, Roderick’s heart was not in the card games.
He spent most of the time watching Lord Casterleigh.
The man was charming, funny, and had the attention of most of the room.
For a moment, Roderick could not help but imagine what the duchess’s life would be like with a man like that.
Glancing at the trim of Lord Casterleigh’s coat and the jewel on one of his rings, it was clear the man was wealthy.
“Lord Casterleigh,” one man at the edge of the table said. “I have not heard you speak of eligible ladies in a little while. Surely there is someone you have your eye on, is there not?”
“There is,” the lord said with an almost wistful smile on his face.
“And who would it be?” the first man asked.
“Can we not just focus on the cards?” Lord Casterleigh grinned.
“I would also prefer to focus on the cards,” Mr. Bell grumbled.
“I am simply asking an innocent question,” the first man replied, grinning.
“We all know who the lord has his eye on!” another man barked out a laugh.
“The Dowager Duchess of Alderwick?” the first man asked.
“Of course!” several men around the table nodded.
“Now, now,” Lord Casterleigh said gently. “We all know how headstrong the duchess is. There is no reason to assume she would leap at the chance to give away the freedom she has gained over the last few years for a simple lord such as myself.”
“You do not know that!” the first man replied.
“She could be pining for you as we speak!” the second man commented. Roderick’s hand inadvertently tensed around his cards. Something hot rose in his throat; an urge to tell a man precisely what he thought of their conversation. He forced himself to breathe.
He had no claim to defend, no right to be bristling on her behalf. Lord Casterleigh, to his credit, had looked appalled by the remarks. That alone should have settled the lump in Roderick’s chest. Instead, it made the lump grow larger.
“You all assume too much,” Lord Casterleigh said, shaking his head with a chuckle.
“You assume too little,” the second man smiled. “No doubt with a woman like that at your side you could make handsome looking children.”
“Yes,” the first said with a grin. Roderick caught the look in the man’s eye, but before he could do anything, Lord Casterleigh had smacked his friend’s arm.
“Behave,” Lord Casterleigh scoffed. “She is a duchess, not a cow at auction. You all need to learn some manners.”
“Apologies,” the men muttered around the table.
Roderick watched as Lord Casterleigh rolled his eyes and went back to the cards.
***
By the time Roderick walked out of the inn, he had lost more than he had won, and gained more information because of it. He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.
“I can walk back with you,” Mr. Bell said, appearing at his side.
“I think I need to walk on my own tonight,” Roderick decided, giving his friend a grateful smile. “Thank you for inviting me. I enjoyed it immensely.”
“You are welcome,” Mr. Bell nodded. “And if you are ever in need of someone to talk to about whatever is on your mind, well… you are aware of where to find me.”
Roderick nodded and turned away, walking back toward Briarwood Hall.
Casterleigh… He is precisely the sort of match I should want for the duchess. He has wealth, a good family name, and he genuinely seems interested. And yet…
His stomach sank. A feeling had settled in his chest hours before that had not shifted, and he did not know how to name it. Even worse, he felt that if he could name it, he would not like the answer.
I am simply being cautious on her behalf. She has suffered enough between my presence and my father’s actions. I do not wish her to suffer any more. Not if there is something I can do about it.
He sighed. A small part of him knew he was not being truthful, that there was more to it than that, but it was too much for him to consider that night.
The stars sparkled in the sky over Briarwood Hall, leading him back to the warmth of the place that would soon belong to him.
He had plans for the estate. Both the hall itself and the stables.
He would allow Oswin to stay whenever he wanted.
Millicent could plant anything she wanted in the garden. And the duchess…
He stopped walking.
Right. The duchess will not be here.
The thought landed harder than he had expected. He had spent the better part of the evening mentally arranging her future, only for it to occur to him exactly what that future meant.
He took a breath, allowing the cold night air to fill his lungs.
Perhaps she could visit on occasion…
Chapter 15
“Thank you for coming,” Lavinia said as the solicitor packed his bag in her sitting room.
“You are welcome,” he said. “Do not be afraid to summon me if you need more assistance.”
“I will, thank you,” Lavinia replied.
Once he had left the room, she closed her eyes, taking in the quiet while she could.
“Lavinia!” Honora called out suddenly, pushing open the door. “Are you not going to see me off?”
Lavinia smiled sadly and nodded.
“Of course I am,”
Honora paused as she watched Lavinia carefully.
“Are you quite alright? That was your solicitor, was it not?” Honora asked.
“It was,” Lavinia confirmed. “But that is none of your concern. Boring estate business.”
Honora frowned. Lavinia smiled through the lie, knowing her friend was in tune with her moods.
“Are you ready?” Lavinia asked.
“As ready as I will ever be.”
Lavinia and Honora walked downstairs together. Outside, the carriage was stuffed full of Honora’s belongings.
“It is a wonder that you are able to sit in there with it so full,” Lavinia said with a laugh.
“I am a wonder in many ways,” Honora joked, before she noticed Lavinia’s expression and pulled her into a tight hug. Lavinia tensed before melting into the embrace.
“I am ever so glad you were here,” Lavinia whispered into Honora’s hair.
“I will always be available to you, my dearest friend,” Honora said gently.
“I know,” Lavinia whispered. “I am just grateful to have such a friend I can call my own.”
“And I am glad to have you as my friend,” Honora said affectionately. She pulled back and took Lavinia’s hands into her own. “I will not be away for long. I will return soon. I promise.”
“I will hold you to that,” Lavinia said softly.
“Please do,” Honora laughed. “And write to me. Please. I do not wish to be left wondering what has become of you.”
“I will,” Lavinia promised.
Honora nodded, pulling back. The two women looked at each other one last time before Honora got into her carriage.
It pulled away quickly, leaving Lavinia to lean against the arches at the entrance of Briarwood Hall.
Her mind was troubled not only because her friend was leaving, but also because of the news that she had been told that morning.
The carriage rattled down the road, descending into the village, until it became nothing more than a distant noise.
The air around Briarwood Hall suddenly felt cold and empty.
After a moment, the rattling of the carriage got louder again.
Lavinia frowned, wondering if her friend had forgotten something.
Then, she noticed the difference in cadence and her heart sank.
While Honora’s carriage had a bright and spritely sound, the carriage approaching sounded low and gruff.
She knew that sound all too well. Lavinia had sat at windows as a child waiting for that sound, and as a teenager she had fled from it.
As an adult, there was nothing she could do but prepare to face it head-on.
The carriage soon rounded up the path toward Briarwood Hall.
Lavinia stood tall despite the nausea rolling through her.
The carriage ascended the path at a rate that anyone living in the area would know to avoid.
The driver had to adjust to the awkward angle before the carriage steadied itself on the road again.
Lavinia immediately recognized the insignia painted on the side.
The carriage came to a stop and the door burst open, her father marching down the steps toward her.
Cecily was behind him, looking nervously out at Lavinia.
For a moment, Lavinia wanted to rush over to her sister and embrace her.
For the sake of her father’s temper, she held back.
“Father,” she said coolly. “Why did I find out you were coming from my sister and not from you?”
“Well,” he snorted. “I could ask you the same of your situation.”
Lavinia bit the inside of her cheek.
“This situation was for me to handle,” she said calmly. “I did not want your interference.”
“And what good has that done you?” he scoffed.