The Roguish Ways of a Hopeless Duke

by Lucinda Nelson

  Evie had always been the prettiest amongst the girls, her own eyes very similar to the blue of the sky, a slightly upturned nose, long, luxurious dark hair, and a quick and dazzling smile. Yet, their father’s position had left their associations to that of the lower class, which had lowered their options.

  Lucy replied, “But those men are usually not tolerable.”

  “We are no longer in position to be quite so selective.”

  “Are you suggesting we settle?”

  “It may come to that.”

  As Hannah and Lucy went back and forth, Evie sat there in deep thought. The other sisters realized this and broke off their conversation, staring at Evie curiously. Hannah said, “Evie, what is it?”

  Evie replied, “I was just thinking of some other ways that we may be able to secure a place.”

  “What are you suggesting? That we become governesses or something?”

  “I’m just saying, there are other more immediate options.”

  Lucy interjected, “But securing a position in that way will only make it more difficult to be made desirable for a quality man.”

  “Perhaps we could take up position in a household with a man who is not married.”

  “But what are the odds that he will seek out his staff for anything more than some improper affair?”

  “It can happen.”

  Hannah shook her head and said, “No. We must simply seek out the necessary receptions and make appearances. It is the way to make the eye of the more well-appointed gentlemen.”

  “Our wardrobes are so limited and ill-suited for making appearances.”

  “Surely there must be some means to procure better dress. It is for our futures after all.”

  Lucy said, “I know. We can go to Lady Lydia Brown’s and find her house’s maid. She is a great seamstress and Lydia often brags about how she never has to worry about her wardrobe with her around.”

  Hannah and Evie looked at each other, deciding that it was worth a try. So with that, they informed their mother that they would be out and went to hire Adam the Coachman. He had never accepted their money, simply transporting them whenever he was available. He was clearly taken with one or all of the girls and was more than happy to help whenever he could. So they went down the road to Lady Lydia’s.

  They would feel improper to call upon anyone else so unexpectedly, but not Lydia. Lydia would often turn up around their home and stay through lunch and dinner before quitting them as darkness fell. She was that way, an informal girl with little care for the trifles of regular practice. It was why her parents fretted over her future prospects, harried at the thought of the gentleman who would find her well-matched.

  The Seymour sisters made their way onto the grounds and found Lydia outdoors seated in her favorite spot in clear view of any and all who should happen to travel by. Lydia enjoyed knowing the comings and goings of those around her and could always recount with distinct accuracy who had gone by and in which direction.

  As she saw her good friends coming upon her, she let out her signature squeal of delight. They were hardly able to become level with her before she was ecstatically kissing their cheeks and bringing them inside. Once they had entered the home she said, “And what, my dear friends, brings you all here this fine afternoon?”

  Lucy answered, “Well, Lady Lydia, we have decided that we must become much more social if we are to find better quality suitors. However, our current wardrobe is less than amenable and we…”

  “Oh! You all are here to see Miss Price?”

  “As well, yes.”

  “Oh well please come along. I believe she is just seated back here a ways.”

  Lydia began to lead them through the house. Along the way, they came upon the lady of the house, who greeted them cheerily. They also found Lydia’s younger siblings, both of whom were causing mischief to their young, distraught governess. Finally, they came upon Miss Price, who was knitting. They could not tell yet what it was that she was making. Miss Price was an older, slightly plump woman with strong, working hands, and an overall pleasant manner. She had only ever shown them kindness.

  Lydia interrupted her saying, “Miss Price, you know the Seymour sisters. They have come to inquire after your sewing needle.” Miss Price looks up from her work and says, “What is it that you girls should need?”

  Hannah said, “Miss, we need more suitable wardrobes. The kind young men find bewitching. We have seen the lovely dresses in which you have made for Lydia. We would like to ask for the same.”

  Miss Price nodded her head saying, “Of course, dearies. It would be my pleasure.”

  “We do not have a great deal to pay, however…”

  “Oh, don’t give it a second thought. Whatever you provide shall be more than adequate. I will need your measurements and preferred styles of dress.”

  Miss Price got up and took out her tape measure. She began to talk to each of the girls about what kinds of dresses they would prefer. They each referenced dresses that they had seen on Lydia. Once she was done she said, “I will send along word when I have finished.”

  With that Miss Price went back to her needlework and they all quit the room as to leave her to it. The four girls returned to the front of the property and sat for a spell before Adam returned to carry them home. The sisters found themselves feeling better already, believing that their prospects had already improved.

  Still, Evie wondered what she might be able to do more immediately. It is very true that becoming staff would pretty much dash any hopes that she had of finding a man of rank to marry. It would put her in proximity to them physically, yet too far away in position. It was bad enough that her family had so far fallen. They had been just barely able to hang on to some social standing over the years.

  However, Evie had never been one to sit about and wait for her fortunes to turn. Throughout her father’s revolving fortunes, she had always wondered at the circumstance in which she would quit her family home. She did not often find men that she thought to be of high regard that was aside from Duke Charles Birks. She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes at the thought. She swiftly wiped them before too many followed. The thought once again brought her suffering and she tried to think more positively.

  Detecting the girls’ foreboding, their mother called them to her. They sat about her in the salon and she said, “Now girls, I do not want you to worry yourselves. I have full confidence that you all will be quite fine. Any number of gentlemen will find you all to be beautiful and honorable brides. It will simply take some time.”

  Hannah exclaimed, “But we don’t have time! Summer shall be ending soon and if father loses his current position we will no longer have anyone to introduce us. All will be lost!”

  “Oh, don’t listen to your father. Our circumstance is not quite so dire as he claims. You know how he worries after things. We shall be alright for some time. It is not time to worry just yet.”

  Lucy protested, “But Mother, none of us are in anyway nearly marriage.”

  “Oh, that’s not true. You are courting by some degrees. It may not move quite so quickly as you might hope, but you all will be off and married before you know it.”

  Their mother was always one to remain confident and optimistic. It was she who maintained the household when their father began to panic, which came at every downward turn. The lovely Mrs. Seymour was an aged version of her daughters in different degrees and had come to be married fairly young. At the time, her husband seemed to have quite a future ahead of him, not being able to afford a commission in the military. He was sustaining himself in his late grandfather’s house with the help of his growing business.

  However, it had become clear early on that they would always be some way in turmoil. Each daughter had brought added stress to their finances, though they were always able to manage. Any extra they were able to get for a time was typically followed by a decrease which made their earlier surplus handy. No matter what, Mrs. Seymour remained steady, never all
owing herself to express any true distress at their position. She was of the mind that whatever may befall them, they would be alright in the end.

  Evie had somewhat inherited her mother’s state of mind, but was also influenced enough by her father to feel the urgency of their situation. They had not time to waste. They must begin to find some change in position. She hoped vaguely that the days might bring about some new possibility and quickly.

  Chapter 3

  Abigail’s death had thrown the entire Wellington Estate out of balance and His Grace found himself struggling to find a replacement for Abigail. It appeared that he had greatly taken for granted just how extensive her role in the home was. He faced many challenges, including finding a new overseer for his younger sister Grace.

  Shortly after, Thaddeus had fulfilled his father's wishes and become a man fit to be Duke. His and Grace’s parents had perished in an unfortunately tragic accident, leaving Grace in Thaddeus’ care. It had happened shortly after he married Abigail and the transition had been fairly easy. Grace loved Abigail and Abigail loved Grace, so they grabbed onto each other fervently and lovingly. Abigail had looked after Grace with the dedication of a sister, sometimes even as a mother. Grace was taking Abigail’s death with some difficulty.

  Grace was just coming upon the age where she was beginning the transition into a young woman. She already held a substantial income and would be a match to some successful Duke or Baron someday. At present, she had an education to conclude and needed some womanly overseeing. His Grace began the search, feeling that it may prove to be difficult. Not that Grace was so much difficult, just particular.

  Thaddeus began to bring in some ladies for the position. He only spoke with them briefly, mostly deferring to the interaction between the women and Grace. Grace would interact politely with the ladies, but as soon as they were gone she would give her real opinion. She never really said too much aside from the fact that whoever she was, did not meet Grace’s approval. He brought in younger women and older women alike, but it seemed that none of them quite struck the fancy of young Grace.

  Thaddeus found himself giving up, telling himself that perhaps the existing staff would have to do, even though he knew that was not exactly true. Finally, he began to look at some of the other women buzzing around, although their particular concern was Thaddeus and not his young ward. He took advantage of their interest in him, but also referred a few to Grace hoping that he could perhaps also have them take on some of Abigail’s other duties.

  However, it was not until Thaddeus honored an obligation which had been made by Abigail before her passing that he finally found someone who might be right. He and Grace attended a reception at Kingman Manor in which most of the areas titled families were attending. Thaddeus was not particularly happy about it and knew that he could rescind the agreement to attend due to Abigail’s passing, but decided that it would be better to simply go, particularly because the Kingman’s daughter Judith was a good friend of Grace.

  So he and Grace arrived to the affair and Grace immediately went off with her group of friends. Thaddeus found his way into a circle of some of his acquaintances, including his close confidante Lord Martin. The men stood around talking about the regular subjects of business prospects and whatever frivolities their families had gotten up to. Thaddeus and Martin stood apart from the group a bit for some more private discussion.

  Martin commented, “I admit that I am quite surprised to see you here. I know that you were not particularly thrilled about the occasion.”

  “No, but Grace wanted to come for Judith and I figured I may as well.”

  “I see. Are those your only motives?”

  “What are you getting at?”

  “Simply that your social calendar has returned to its former status.”

  “It is true that I have been keeping company as once before, however, affairs like this have not often been included.”

  “Oh no, you are still fielding the guests of bereavement, are you not?”

  “Certainly.”

  “Well I can’t say that I did not suppose that you would.”

  “Why is that?”

  “I’ve told you for years that Abigail was the one thing keeping you from your former debauchery. It appears that I was quite right.”

  “All the same, the women I have found have been good for everything but the one position I truly need them for.”

  “Which is?”

  “I have not found anyone for Grace yet.”

  “Ah yes. They may prove to be quite challenging, but I am sure that you will find what you need. There must be some woman around some place that is perfect for the job.”

  Thaddeus was not so sure. He looked about knowing that those of the women that were not staff in some way were more than likely not looking for such a position, not in this place at least. Most of the female guests were looking for suitors, not some position for themselves. It could be difficult to secure such things, and with Abigail still alive he hadn’t once had to think of it. He felt a slight sting of yearning for her in that moment, but swiftly pushed it away. He would need to find something to pre-occupy his mind with.

  He thought perhaps that he may have found it when he laid his eyes upon three young women moving about the party. He believed he may have seen one of them before, but he had not been able to make their acquaintance. Although they were all quite lovely, there was one that stood out to him in particular. She was by far the most pretty and her face was adorn with a smile the likes of which could rival any jewel. He decided to introduce himself in hopes that he may be able to draw the young lady away.

  He made his way over to where the three stood in conversation with two other ladies with whom he was familiar. He approached them and said, “Hello, ladies. Very glad to see you all here.”

  A young woman he knew to be the daughter of a former General said, “Well, hello. It is quite fine to see you as well. I am quite sorry for your recent loss. Please do accept my sincere condolences.”

  “Thank you very much. I am sorry, but I do not believe I am familiar with your friends.”

  “Ah yes, well this is Miss Georgina Clarke, perhaps you have met her before. These three are the Seymour sisters, Miss Hannah, Miss Lucy, and Miss Evie.”

  Each girl bowed their head slightly as their name was spoken. The one of particular interest to him was named Miss Evie. She looked up at him with gleaming blue eyes and that exquisite smile. He bowed his head to them and said, “A pleasure to make your acquaintance. Seymour? Might I have made the acquaintance of your father?”

  Miss Hannah spoke up, “Perhaps, although I do not believe that you have.”

  “Well ladies, it was lovely to have been in your presence. I do hope we shall be able to speak again.”

  While saying this he looked quite pointedly into the eyes of Miss Evie. She seemed slightly startled, although she only betrayed this by a slight widening of the eyes. She nodded her head quite gracefully, her smile never leaving her face. Thaddeus then quit the group to speak to some other men of position to whom he felt some duty to confer with. As he moved about, he began to cast his eyes about for Grace.

  By the time he had made his way about the affair, he once again spotted Miss Evie, this time in conversation with Grace and Judith. He moved over to insert himself into their conversation as casually as possible. As he approached he caught some of their conversation. It seemed that Evie was extending her condolences to Grace, quite compassionately. Grace accepted the words of comfort well. She turned her head and saw Thaddeus standing there. She said, “Oh, this is my brother. Have you met him?”

  Evie turned to see to whom she was referring and made eye contact with Thaddeus. She smiled sweetly and said, “Why yes. We spoke earlier. Quite nice to speak to you again, Your Grace.”

  “Yes, quite. I thank you for your kindness to my sister.”

  “Oh, but of course. I can only imagine the loss that the two of you have suffered.”

  “Yes, it has
been quite an ordeal. Particularly because I have not been able to find anyone to oversee Grace as my wife once did. It has been quite challenging to fill the position. If you could recommend anyone, please do. It would be quite a help.”

  “Well as a matter of fact, I do believe that I know someone who may be just perfect for the position?”

  “Excellent. May I ask how you know her?”

  “She is me.”

  “Oh…”

  “Yes. I have not so formerly been seeking a position, but it would seem to me that perhaps fate has brought upon one that I am quite well-suited. I will admit that I have no prior experience aside from my own sisters, however, I do believe that I would be a fitting overseer for Grace.”