He was prone to robust laughter, throwing back his head and placing a hand on his stout belly as he did. Others in the family had come to regard him as vulgar, though they felt inclined to remain in his good graces because of his stature in society. Thaddeus found him to be amusing and pleasant company.
Thaddeus was already to attend a wedding ceremony not very far from where Lord Fitzgerald lived, so he sent word that he would be happy to come to dinner the evening after. It would offer a pleasant reason for the trip since he was not looking forward to the actual wedding. It was the daughter of a particularly powerful member of the House of Lords and it would no doubt draw out some of the most exhausting and grating guests. Thaddeus would be departing as soon as possible.
As he prepared to be away for some time, he noted how differently Wellington Manor had felt since returning from the sea. There had been for some time what felt like storm clouds throughout the atmosphere. That was no longer the case. He knew that Martin would say it was because he was no longer on bad terms with Evie, but he did not believe that. He thought that the sea breeze had worked as a tonic, as most people believed.
All too soon, it was time to depart for the long coach ride to the wedding. He somewhat wished that he had a companion to travel with, but Martin had a prior engagement, Grace had been openly against it, and he would not dream of asking Evie. It was just be him and his staff. It would be a very long ride.
As he anticipated, it felt as if he traveled across the entirety of the country. He quite expected when he got out to see the ocean. Instead, they arrived at a grand, old chapel. There were many coaches about and Thaddeus knew that practically every member of the House of Lords and their spouses would be in attendance. Thaddeus did not mind being alone, he felt as if it offered him greater excuse to depart early.
Thaddeus walked in to find his seat and was aware of the heads turning and the whispers that were following him. It seemed that the scandal was not so far removed from him, that people were not still drawn into the talk surrounding it. He ignored it and found a seat.
He vaguely hoped that it would be a swift ceremony, but he doubted it. It appeared that wedding ceremonies were becoming more and grander. It was being used as another situation to brandish wealth and power. It is why so many more people were being invited to the occasion. At Thaddeus’ wedding, there had been very few people, which he had found proper. There was no need for it. It was simply a ceremony to cement a union. There was no reason to be too ostentatious.
All the same, the ceremony went on with little incident. Once the vows had been taken and the registry signed, it was time to go on to the breakfast. It was quite a spread with many delicacies on the menu. Thaddeus ate sparingly and endured painfully mundane conversation. He began to wonder how much longer he would need to stay before he could make his exit without offending Lord Langley.
As he moved about, he was quite pleased to find that Lord Fitzgerald was in attendance. It should have come as no surprise given his position. As Lord Fitzgerald spotted Thaddeus, he cut the conversation he was having short and made his way to him. He said to Thaddeus, “Ah, there’s my boy! How lovely to find you here.”
Thaddeus replied, “I did not think I would see you here.”
“As you know, I am often required to attend certain events. Some of these men will have no parts of a dinner or other such appointment. It is as if when they are not at court they should only like to converse in more social settings. I personally believe it offers proper excuse to ignore the finer rules of negotiation.”
“Perhaps so. I would not believe that you would object to such a thing.”
“It is one thing to be more liberal, but to use the occasion as an opportunity to be a scoundrel while being protected by the decorum expected in such settings is simply unacceptable.”
“I do believe that was my father’s preferred method.”
“Oh no! Your father’s preference was dark rooms and the influence of drink to make his associates more pliable.”
Thaddeus smiled to himself. Like himself, Lord Fitzgerald was not very fond of his father. He felt him to be ungentlemanly, and quite immoral. It was one of the reasons that Thaddeus was so fond of him. He was one of the few who did not pretend as if his father was some proper gentleman. He knew him for what he was, which was refreshing.
Lord Fitzgerald asked, “So I shall be seeing you at my home? You should be my guest for tonight. The inn shall be overflowing with people. And these people no less.”
“I greatly appreciate it, but I should not like to be a bother.”
“Pish posh! You are always most welcome at my home. I shall have rooms prepared for you upon our arrival.”
For Thaddeus, that potentially offered him the perfect escape. He would be leaving when Lord Fitzgerald did. Lord Fitzgerald began moving about taking leave of people and Thaddeus followed him. It was not long before the two had made it to the exit. Thaddeus followed Lord Fitzgerald to his estate in his coach.
It had been quite some time since Thaddeus had visited Lord Fitzgerald, yet he was almost positive that he remembered his grounds vividly. Sure enough, as they had begun to wind up the drive, Thaddeus recognized what he felt to be some of the most beautiful grounds he had encountered. Lord Fitzgerald had a great eye for landscaping and art, which was on full display at his grounds. He had some of the most creative gardening and sculptures to be seen.
The arrangements of flowers about the grounds were sensational, with lovely colors winding about on all sides. His wilderness enclosure was also something to see, as the animals congregated about lovely shrubbery and the surrounding structures were all painted in a lovely array of colors, blending in well with the foliage. There were fountains, just some of Lord Fitzgerald’s famous collection of sculptures about the property, and bridges constructed over ponds that were so ornate that they seemed to lead to Eden.
Their coaches pulled to the steps leading to Lord Fitzgerald’s entryway, which was surrounded by high columns and archways made of flowers and leaves to rival Babylon. Thaddeus could not help but think that the façade at the Wellington Manor had needed much improvement to reach that of Fitzgerald Park.
They exited the coaches and made their way inside. The beauty continued in the interior décor as well. While it was clear that a great deal had been spent to furnish the home, it was a long ways from gaudy. Lord Fitzgerald selections did not create an intimidating effect. Quite the opposite. The paintings were of such great color and depicted various captivating scenes which drew the eye and the rest of the person inside. There was a warmth in the home that was lacking in so many of the other estates of equal size.
Lord Fitzgerald brought Thaddeus into his drawing room to sit and receive brandy. The two gentlemen were seated, with Thaddeus asking, “Is Lady Fitzgerald about? I should like to greet her.”
“Oh no! She has gone to the spa with our daughter. They shall be returning ahead of dinner tomorrow. It is only I here for the moment.”
“I am sure you enjoy the solitude.”
“As a man who so rarely gets any, quite. The lonesome man longs for company, the companied man longs for loneliness. It is our way as gentlemen to never quite be satisfied.”
“You are quite right.”
“I am glad that I have the opportunity to receive you on today. Tomorrow, there will be other guests and I should like to speak with you privately.”
“Is there some business to which I am not aware?”
“No, my dear boy, it is not to do with business. It is to do with some recent happenings which have come to my attention.”
Thaddeus nodded, saying, “Yes. It was quite unfortunate. However, I have begun to move past it. Surely you know that the vast majority of the talk is rubbish.”
“Oh quite, however, it is not the specifics of the talk of which is a concern to me. It is the nature of it.”
“The scandal?”
“So to speak. Duke, we are fortunate men. Our family is of good sto
ck and as such we have been afforded certain luxuries, status, and responsibility. We did not ask for it and yet we possess it anyhow. I too have found my ways to rebuke the more oppressive rules of conduct to which we are subjected. I have garnered the reputation as an eccentric. However, that reputation follows of lifetime of correctness and a continued tendency to moral and reliable decision making. I fear that perhaps your own eccentricities may be costing you much.”
“I continue to conduct my business and household in a manner beholden to a Duke.”
“All the same, we have the unfortunate burden of being required to maintain a certain level of strength and fortitude. At the moment that it is perceived that we may be even in the slightest manner on the verge of collapse, we lose a bit of our status, which reflects poorly on those to come in our own family name.”
“I have made entrails to correct my behavior. I am no longer taking the liberties that I have before.”
“That is good to hear. However, I believe that there may be further steps required to restore faith in your steadfastness and wit.”
“What more do you believe I should do?”
“I believe you will not be fully returned to former opinion until you have once again married.”
Thaddeus paused, thoughtfully, before saying, “I would think that courting at this juncture would only worsen circumstances.”
“That might be true were matters different. It is now being speculated that you have in some way diminished since the passing of your dear wife, Lady Abigail. I do not have to tell you the danger such speculation could present. There will be challenges placed in an attempt to take advantage of your perceived weakness. So long as you remain a widower, you are vulnerable.”
“It has not been so long since the passing of my wife. Would it not be seen as indecent to remarry so soon?”
“Perhaps in other circumstances. You are already being judged for flouting about so soon following her death. It is now to display that your mind is intact by finding another worthy bride and starting your family.”
“I hear you and it has not been far from my own thoughts. I have not thus far encountered any such lady who I believe would improve my condition.”
“Ah, but I do believe that I have,” said Lord Fitzgerald, leaning back for effect.”
Thaddeus replied, “To whom are you referring?”
“My own eldest daughter, Teresa.”
“Last I was aware your daughter was intended to Lord Walford.”
“Indeed it was so. However, it appears that he was quite unsuitable, his whole family has been casted into scandal following the accusation of treason which has been leveled at his father, the elder Lord Walford.”
“Ah, I see. Now you should like to offer her hand to me, in my position,” asked Thaddeus, somewhat confused.”
Lord Fitzgerald replied, “Duke, while recent occurrences have been unfortunate, I have always perceived you to be a gentleman in the highest regard. Unlike your father before you, you are a man of conscience and good sense. I could hardly think of a more worthy gentleman to entrust my dear, sweet Teresa to.”
Thaddeus thought about this. He could not quite recall very much about Lady Teresa. He had met her before, but he had been some years before, when she was still only a girl. He knew that she were now a woman, but that was all he knew of her.
Thaddeus knew what it meant for Lord Fitzgerald to offer his daughter’s hand to him. It was an honor and he could not think of a better man to bestow it. Yet he questioned how wise it would be to agree to wed his daughter so quickly. Thaddeus hesitated, thinking of a proper response. He said, “I am deeply honored that you would think so highly of me. I am sure that Lady Teresa is a fine young woman. However, I am concerned about proceeding with an engagement so suddenly. You can understand my hesitation.”
“Oh absolutely! It is certainly nothing into which to rush. Marriage is far too pivotal a decision to make in haste. I only wished to introduce the idea as not only a solution for your current problems, but also as an all-around agreeable situation. Teresa would certainly make a great addition to your home.”
“I do not doubt it.”
“I simply ask that upon her return tomorrow that you will attempt to become acquainted with her. Then perhaps you may have better context with which to make your decision moving forward.”
“Yes, of course.”
The gentlemen finished their brandy before moving into the dining room for dinner. Lord Fitzgerald began to tell some of his infamous stories. Thaddeus listened, while still deep in thought. He had anticipated that at the end of the season he might begin to consider taking another wife. He was not quite prepared to go about the endeavor so soon.
In a way he felt as if he owed it to Lord Fitzgerald to at very least consider his proposal. His respect for the man did not allow him to dismiss him. He knew that it was not something that Lord Fitzgerald had thought of hastily. In fact, he was quite sure it had been the reason Lord Fitzgerald had summoned him to his home to begin with.
The two gentlemen completed dinner and went out for a short walk about the grounds. Lord Fitzgerald pointed out some of the alterations which had been made since Thaddeus had last visited. He also talked to him about some of the future alterations he wished to make. Thaddeus thought of what Lord Fitzgerald had mentioned before about not quite ever being satisfied. It seemed that while others so admired his land, Lord Fitzgerald was always finding ways to alter it in some way, both big and small.
The two gentlemen returned inside and made to retire for the evening. Lord Fitzgerald said, “Perhaps you and I should rise in the afternoon and go out for a hunt. It is not quite season, yet I find that there are some lovely creatures about. Only last week, I was able to find some excellent game.”
“Sounds excellent.”
“Until then, I bid thee good night.”
The two men took leave of each other. Thaddeus thought that perhaps he might have a night of troubled sleep. However, before he knew it he was awaking from a bizarre dream. It had featured a woman whose face he did not believe he ever got to see. It felt like a vision of his future. He wondered who the woman might be. It is with those thoughts that he rose to dress himself for the hunt.
As Lord Fitzgerald had mentioned it was out of season, yet they did indeed find some find birds to shoot, as well as some deer. The valet gathered up their game and brought it back to the house. The two washed up and had lunch upon the terrace, with Lord Fitzgerald reveling Thaddeus with stories from when he had been a young man of travel.
It was then time to prepare for the guests to arrive ahead of dinner. As Thaddeus made to returned to his things, a coach pulled up outside. Lord Fitzgerald came into the foyer saying, “Ah! That must be Lady Fitzgerald and Teresa.”
Oddly, Thaddeus felt some nervousness. He was concerned that he would not find Teresa at all attractive and would be tasked with finding some way to let Lord Fitzgerald down easily. He thought vaguely of taking leave to ready himself, but he did not want to offend Lord Fitzgerald. So he stood before the door as the butler opened it. First entered Lady Fitzgerald. She looked quite as she always had. She had been a pretty young woman formerly and retained the manner of attractiveness about her still. She greeted her husband and then turned to find Thaddeus there. He bowed slightly to her, saying, “Good afternoon, Madam. How do you do?”
She exclaimed, “Oh, how lovely to find you here, Duke! It has been quite some time.”
“Yes, it has.”
“Well, welcome to our home. You will please excuse my appearance. It was quite a long trip.”
“You look lovely, My Lady.”
“You are too kind.”
As they spoke, Lady Teresa entered. She walked straight to her father and kissed him upon the cheek. As she pulled away from him and turned in Thaddeus’ direction, he was able to see her face. She was quite beautiful. She had warm blue eyes, a dainty nose, and pink, lips surrounding a dazzling smile. She reminded Thaddeus of the sprite
s depicted in many of Lord Fitzgerald’s paintings. She was wearing her traveling clothes, which included a hooped petticoat and leisurely skirts.
Lady Fitzgerald turned to her daughter saying, “Dear, this is Lord Thaddeus Wellington. Thaddeus, this is our eldest daughter Lady Teresa.” Teresa curtseyed to Thaddeus, who returned a bow. She said, “How do you do, Your Grace.”
Thaddeus returned, “How do you do.”
The ladies then excused themselves to freshen up for dinner. Lord Fitzgerald said that he too need to ready himself for the other guests. Thaddeus did the same. While changing his clothing, he thought of his first impression of Teresa. She was certainly a lovely woman. He still was not sure of what his intentions might be. He thought he might have occasion to speak with her and determine if he should even consider the two of them being a good match.
The Roguish Ways of a Hopeless Duke Page 20