by Lucy Langton
“About two years ago now. During the time when you were with the Navy. I had sent a letter, but can only assume now that it was lost,” Lord Peterson explained. Flynt lowered his hand and nodded as they continued.
“With the start of the Season, I’m sure you are one of the most eligible gentlemen then,” Flynt said, trying to cheer up the conversation.
“That is true,” Lord Peterson agreed, his face lighting up as he smiled. “There is a young lady I have started courting officially, and I hope something good will come of it.”
“I’m proud of you, Lord Peterson. You deserve all the happiness in the world,” Flynt declared, every word a true one for his dear friend.
“And I would say the same for you, Lord Statham. But if memory recalls, you never had designs for marriage,” his friend said, turning his head and looking at him with curious eyes.
“No, you would be correct in that. I didn’t want to marry before I left for the Navy, and now that I have returned, the feeling still remains. However, my mother has different plans for me,” Flynt said with a long sigh.
“I can only guess then that was the reason for which I saw you so hell-bent on going to such a disastrous place,” Lord Peterson mused. They followed the path around the bend and came to stand in front of a small pond, large bushes framing the way and giving them a bit of privacy to talk to one another. Lilac bloomed on the bushes, filling the area with a pungent fragrance that Flynt admitted that he liked.
“I have not made the best of choices as of late. Unfortunately, I owe Lord Locke quite a bit of money,” Flynt confessed as he clasped his hands behind him and looked out over the water. A pair of swans swam across the surface of the water as though the two standing on the shore did not exist.
“That’s the lord that owns the gentlemen’s club across town,” Lord Peterson remarked. “I would not want to owe that man anything.”
“Well, it appears that I owe him quite a bit considering that the man has threatened me and my family. Yet, I can hardly remember a thing,” Flynt said, shaking his head as though the action would help him remember what had happened during those nights he had sought something to help him truly forget.
“And this is why your mother is forcing you into a marriage, I presume,” Lord Peterson said, turning towards him. The man’s blond hair was combed to the side, and his clothing was of fine quality. He could see the gleam of the thread in his waistcoat and how starch-white his cravat looked in the sun. He was the perfect image of what a gentleman should appear to be.
“Yes. She has given me the ultimate choice. Marry this week to a young lady in order to use my inheritance to pay Lord Locke. Or, I am to leave her house forever and try to figure this all out on my own,” Flynt admitted, turning his eyes back to the water. Seeing the pond made him almost yearn to be back in the Navy. At least then he could be avoiding all of this. Yet, it would only probably lead to a much earlier grave than he designed to have.
“My word. That is rather serious. And I’m sure the idea of being on your own doesn’t settle well with you,” Lord Peterson said.
“I would not have the means to sustain myself, no. I might be an earl, but my mother controls all the finances,” Flynt explained.
“What about the young lady that your mother wants you to marry. What is she like?” Lord Peterson asked, a smirk on his lips.
“We had attended the opera house the night before. I will say that I enjoyed the experience with her. We share in common a love for music,” Flynt said, remembering the happy memories of what it had been like to actually enjoy some time with Miss Ada.
But Flynt frowned as he said, “She’s my mother’s lady companion. My mother and aunt have convinced her to agree to a marriage to me. She is a very sweet and innocent type of woman, and I fear my bad choices in life will only ruin both of us.”
“But surely you wouldn’t make the same ill-advised choices if you had such a responsibility as a wife and future family?” Lord Peterson suggested.
“That’s what scares me, though. I haven’t been able to refrain so far, and I’m sure I’ve hurt my mother and Aunt as it is,” Flynt said with a very long sigh. “I just can’t imagine being married to a woman and unable to make better decisions for myself. Let alone a wife.”
“Lord Statham, I have known you for a very long time. Yet, I have never quite seen you this down on your luck,” Lord Peterson said, turning to him. Flynt couldn’t resist turning towards his friend and at least giving him the decency of looking him in the eyes.
“I think marriage would do you good because it will give your life direction and purpose. Marry this sweet and innocent young lady and use your inheritance to clean the troubles of your past. Then, take your new bride to the countryside and enjoy the happiness of being recently married. Perhaps losing yourself in bed with a young lady will do you some good,” Lord Peterson said with a chuckle. Flynt couldn’t help joining him, admitting to himself that Miss Ada was indeed an attractive young lady he would enjoy laying with.
“It seems I truly do not have any other choice,” Flynt said, his eyes drifting to the ground and the small patch of green grass they were standing upon.
“You do have a choice, Statham. It’s a choice between continuing living a comfortable life or one with very little at all,” Lord Peterson pointed out. Flynt nodded, knowing he wouldn’t last very long on his own.
“Thank you for your wise council, Lord Peterson. You have always been a good friend to me,” Flynt said, looking back up at the man and even shaking his hand.
“I am glad that I caught you when I did. I wouldn’t like to think how you might be at this moment if I hadn’t,” Lord Peterson said with a smile on his face.
“Oh, probably drunk beyond recognition and fist fighting in a ring,” Flynt said as he laughed. “You’d be surprised how good I can fight now.”
“Considering how awful you were at it when we were boys, I can only hope you’ve improved over the years,” Lord Peterson replied as the two of them laughed together at the many memories that they shared. “You must write to me with the wedding date. I will come, even as soon as this week.”
“Thank you again, Lord Peterson. I’ll be sure to do that,” Flynt said, his voice becoming soft as the reality of his decision hit him like a wave. He was about to formally ask Miss Ada to marry him, and it was a reality he had yet to come to terms with.
Lord Peterson walked off then, nodding to him as he left. Flynt returned to looking down at the water, thinking of all those who he had served with who would have loved to trade places with him now. He knew he should be lucky he was even breathing at that moment when so many of his friends had lost their lives. But it was hard to be grateful when faced with the choices he had made since returning from the sea. Now he had to face the consequences of his choices and try to make a better man of himself. After all, he’d at least have to do it for Miss Ada’s sake.
Chapter 11
Visiting Lady Martin with Dowager White had been only a small distraction from the choice she had made. Ada returned to the townhouse with the widowed sister as she happily chatted about what a pleasant visit they had had with Lady Martin. Ada smiled as she helped the lady down from the carriage, trying to feel the same happiness the older woman felt. But all Ada could really feel was the nerves of returning home.
Ada greatly desired to know if Lord Statham would agree to the arranged marriage. She understood that he was in a lot of trouble with this Lord Locke. And if she could genuinely help the man, then she would.
She kept reasoning with herself that this marriage would greatly benefit her in every way. But no matter how much she reasoned with herself, she couldn’t defeat the waves of nerves that seemed to crash around her with each step she took towards the townhouse.
“I do love our little visits out of the house,” Dowager White mused, “but there is nothing quite like coming home.”
“Indeed, Dowager White,” Ada said with a forced smile as she pulled the cord at the
front door. The butler gave them both a smile as he opened the door for them. Ada helped Dowager White to the sitting room to explain her visit to Dowager Statham.
Ada sat down at the pianoforte and began to thumb there the few sheets of music that always rested at the piano. She wanted to play something soothing, to lose herself in the music so she could forget all her worries and fears about the future and instead focus on all that could bring her happiness. After all, as a married woman, she would be mistress over this house and become the person her mother always envisioned for her.
As she began to play a soft melody, filling the room with the sound of the music that mingled with the widows’ conversation, Ada closed her eyes and focused only on the keys of the piano and the notes she was pressing. It was a familiar song to her, one that would no doubt be ever sketched in her memory as her hands glided over the keys. Ada felt as though she could stay in this moment forever, slowing the tempo of the song to prolong it for as long as she could. Here in the music she was safe, free to be alone even when surrounded by a room full of people. She could create soothing music for everyone to enjoy while being completely at peace with the task.
It was only when she heard someone clear their throat that Ada opened her eyes. She assumed it was the butler, come to make some sort of announcement. But when she saw Lord Statham standing in the doorway of the room, her hands stiffened, and the melody drifted away. She folded her hands in her lap and briefly looked towards her employer. Dowager Statham’s eyes were already on her, and she nodded towards Ada with a small smile on her lips.
“Come, sister. Let’s take a turn of the gardens,” Dowager Statham said as she pushed herself to her feet with the help of her cane and headed outside with Dowager White in tow. As the two women passed Ada, she smiled kindly at her, and Ada tried to show the same expression even when her heart was beating fiercely in her chest.
Ada turned her eyes towards Lord Statham as he came into the room and approached her. She looked at him closely, the simple clothing he was wearing when it was almost nearing dinner time. His brown hair was dishevelled, unlike how most gentlemen kept it well combed and tamed, but it was his dark blue eyes that caught her attention as he made his way towards her and their eyes locked together.
As he knelt before her on one knee, Ada finally turned her eyes away from him and focused on her folded hands in her lap. She already knew what would be coming next because it had previously been discussed and agreed upon. And since the Earl was kneeling before her, it seemed he had concluded that their marriage would be ideal for his situation.
Ada was doing her best to control her nervousness, but when Lord Statham didn’t speak, she finally looked up at him and saw how pale his face had become. She began to worry about him, but it seemed he snapped back to reality as their eyes met once more.
“Miss Ada Taylor, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?” he stammered, looking somewhat awkward as he spoke for the words had been forced instead of coming from a place of love or endearment.
“Yes, Lord Statham. I agree,” Ada replied softly, thinking her own words weren’t exactly eloquent, either. They stared at each other as though neither one of them really knew what to do next.
“Then it is settled,” Lord Statham said as he stood back to his feet. “I shall go and discuss the matter with my mother.” He dipped his head towards her, and Ada lowered her head once more. She listened to the soft padding of his boots on the carpet, and once the sound disappeared, she turned back to the piano and began to play the melody once more as though life hadn’t suddenly just changed for her.
For the remainder of the song, she could pretend that life was as it always was so she could do her best to remain calm and not fret about the idea of marrying the wayward Earl.
~*~
“Oh, Miss Ada, you make such a beautiful bride,” Dowager Statham declared as they stood in the fitting room of her favourite dress shop. With no time to lose, they had gone the next day to acquire a dress for Ada so that she and Lord Statham could be married on the morrow.
“Thank you, My Lady,” Ada replied as she looked at the tall looking glass before her, wearing a simple white gown of cotton with a layer of silk down the front of the bodice and skirt to add a bit of elegance. It was trimmed with lace of an elaborate design but was not the type of gown Ada would have chosen for herself. But considering she was forced to choose from the small selection of already premade gowns that would fit her, she knew it would be best to let the Dowager choose for her.
“I shall have the gown and veil delivered to your residence,” the seamstress declared as she helped Ada step down from the dais to change back into her crème day gown. Now that she was a woman engaged to an Earl, with the announcement being published in the papers that morning, she had already risen quickly in status and had seen the noticeable change in the many shops they had visited that day. Dowager Statham was determined to outfit her with a wardrobe that would be fitting for her new status in society, as well as much needed new clothes for the honeymoon in Bath.
“Oh, there is nothing quite like a wedding,” Dowager White said happily. “It is so good to see Flynt getting married and ready to settle down.”
“Miss Ada, you know that we should always be in your debt,” Dowager Statham said as they stood in the fitting room alone, the seamstress and her assistant having left to package the things they had bought.
“Think nothing of it, My Lady,” Ada said with a small smile. “It is you I should be grateful towards. You accepted me for who I am, gave me a home and a good position, and now you have recommended me to your son to be his wife.”
“You deserve so much more in life,” Dowager White added. “You’ve always been such a sweet and caring young lady that you truly deserve the best in life. Flynt may not be perfect, but we have total confidence that the two of you will be good for each other.”
Ada simply forced a smile to her face and nodded. She would never differ in opinion with the women that had given her so much in life. Even though she was nervous to marry Lord Statham and perform her wifely duties, she was determined to find some sort of happiness and purpose in life as a married woman. She would do her best with the Earl to steer him towards making better decisions in life. And she would continue to look after the two older women.
“Let’s stop at the hat shop to ensure Miss Ada has plenty of hats to choose from for her time in Bath. The sun can be quite tiresome during this time of year,” Dowager Statham declared as she paid the seamstress at the counter and then led the way out of the shop and down the street to the next.
The ladies’ footman was quick to follow them from one storefront to the next. And as Ada thought about her new position in society, she realized that soon this man she had served with would also be her footman to give orders to. The idea that she would quickly have servants of her own was a reality that she was still finding hard to believe.
“I would say this beautiful hat with the blue ribbon and feathers would look stunning on you, Miss Ada,” Dowager Statham said as they browsed the newest selection. Ada was pulled from her thoughts as she forced herself to put her full attention on her employer. Ada knew she needed to stop thinking of the widow as an employer and instead as her mother-in-law, but with such sudden changes, she was still struggling to make the changes needed.
“Yes, it is rather lovely,” Ada agreed. “I feel it will go well with the gowns that will accompany me to Bath.”
“I like to think my good sense of fashion has rubbed off on you,” Dowager Statham said with a chuckle.
“Many of your good senses have, My Lady,” Ada replied with a smile.
“You are far better than me,” Dowager Statham declared. “For I don’t think I would have had the same heart as you to accept a man like my Flynt. By this time next year, I am confident the two of you will be the happiest couple in Town. No one could not be happy around you.”
This time Ada smiled genuinely, thinking that was a charming comment
to be coming from an older woman she had spent much time with in the last few years. She would miss her time with the widowed sisters but reasoned that her honeymoon with the Earl would not be too long. Perhaps a month at the most.