by Ella Quinn
Blast, the only thing she could do was greet him. By the time he reached her she could see that he had not bothered to shave—which gave him a rakish air—but other than that, he did not look the worse for wear. Perhaps he wasn’t one of those gentlemen who stayed up until almost dawn.
Exeter raised his hand in greeting. “Good morning, my lady.”
“Good morning, my lord.” She wished she could have one more gallop, but she did not want to spend time with him. It might give the man ideas. “I was just going home.”
Alex tried not to scowl. He had made the mistake of beginning to read the estate journals and stayed up too late. He’d drunk two cups of coffee to be awake enough to ride this morning, and he was late. Bloody hell-hounds! Had Littleton purposely misled Alex? No, Littleton was too good a friend to make a game of him.
Lady Dorie looked exquisite and a bit miffed. Somehow Alex had to salvage this situation. “That is a lovely lady you have there.” The gray Arabian mare shook her head and didn’t seem at all ready to go back to her stable. “What is her name?”
“Willa. She was given to me around the same time we were notified that one of my cousins had died at Waterloo. His name was William, and I couldn’t name her that, so I thought of Willa.”
“You must have been very close.” Had she loved the man?
“We were raised together.” She stroked the mare’s neck. “He was like a brother to me.”
Alex finally let out the breath he’d been holding. Brother. Not lover. “I am sorry for your loss.” She glanced longingly toward the straightaway. “Does she like to race?”
Lady Dorie smiled, and this time it was not one of the merely polite smiles she had granted him previously. This one was real. “She runs like the wind, but your horse is much larger.”
“Large doesn’t necessarily equate to fast. Titan is a rather lazy fellow.” Who was attempting to flirt with Willa. “Do you have time for one gallop?”
Lady Dorie glanced at the sky. “Yes. I suppose I have a few more minutes.”
As Alex had hoped, one race wasn’t enough for her. The mare was indeed swift and nosed out his horse in the first race. They trotted around for a while before indulging in another race that Titan won, but barely. Still, Alex didn’t feel as if he’d made much progress with her ladyship. She had answered his questions, but had seemed distracted and did not add much to the conversation.
As they rode toward Grosvenor Gate, he said, “I am glad I came across you this morning. Your company made my ride much more enjoyable.”
She tilted her head and stared at him for a moment as if she didn’t know what she was seeing. “Enjoyable, yes. It was that. I wish you luck in finding a suitable secretary and estate manager.”
“Thank you.” Was she beginning to be interested in him?
All too soon they arrived at her house, and she dismounted before he could even offer to help. “Until this afternoon.” Her brows drew together. “I mean, I shall probably see you in the Park.”
“Oh, yes. One does see many people. Until then.” She inclined her head and strode up to the door that opened without her knocking.
Lady Dorie was either a woman of few words, or there was something about him that unsettled her. Alex wished he knew which it was.
By the time he had washed, changed, and reached the breakfast room, his sisters were there finishing their meal. He glanced at the clock. “Are you not up early this morning?”
“A little,” Penelope said. “Lady Ophelia’s governess has offered to take us to the Tower this afternoon if we have finished our lessons.”
“Is there some reason your governess cannot take you?” The more he knew about Miss Rivers the less he thought she was what his sisters needed.
Phillida had a worried look on her face. “She has never been before and Miss Tillerson has. It will also be fun to be with Ophelia.”
He remembered that Lady Huntingdon had said he must bring his sisters over to spend time with her younger daughter. “When put that way, the scheme makes perfect sense.”
“I think it will be a great deal of fun.” Phillida grinned.
It was wonderful that she had met someone to do things with, but what about his other sister? “Penelope, have you met any girls your age?”
She shook her head. “We have not been here very long, and I have not had a chance to meet other young ladies.”
Ah, yes. Alex must remember that she would not think of herself as a girl, but a young lady. “I’ll see what I can do to remedy that problem.”
“Thank you. May I be excused?”
Both his sisters seemed a bit nervous, but Penelope especially. He smiled at her to ease her mind. First Lady Dorie and now his sister. Perhaps it was him. “Yes. Far be it from me to keep you from this afternoon’s adventure.”
“Thank you.” They bobbed curtseys and practically fled the room.
What the devil was wrong? He thought about calling them back and asking them, but wasn’t convinced they’d tell him. He signaled to his butler. “Please ask Mrs. Wooton to attend me in my study in an hour.”
“Yes, my lord.”
He was reading the estate journal left by his mother’s new husband regarding spring planting and other useful information when Mrs. Wooton knocked on the open door. “Please come in.”
She stood in front of his desk until he waved her to a chair. “I sense some unease from my sisters when they are with me. Would you happen to have any idea why that would be?”
The housekeeper folded her hands in her lap. “Well, my lord. For one thing, they don’t know you well. They might think that if they don’t behave you’ll send them home and they’ll have no one but their governess.”
That was the last thing he’d do. They had all just lost both their parents. “I wouldn’t do that, and they have no reason to think I will.”
Mrs. Wooton folded her lips as well and stared at him. “They’re still young, my lord, and hurting. You will have to reassure them.”
“You have a point.” He should have thought of it himself. They were much younger than he was. And now that he stood in loco parentis he must be more careful with their feelings. “Thank you, Mrs. Wooton.”
She left the room and he turned his chair to gaze at the garden. He had to figure out a way to convince Lady Dorie to marry him, but before that, he had to discover what types of things he could do to make his sisters understand he would not abandon them. He tugged on the bell-pull, and his butler arrived.
“Yes, my lord.”
“Please inform—” No. Dealing with his sisters was something he needed to do himself. “Never mind. I’ll take care of it myself.”
“As you wish, my lord.”
Alex continued to read the journal entries for this year and by the time he reached the end of the book he had some idea of what was being planted where and why. There were journals for the past four years. He would have to read them as well. He had a vague idea that the estate sold the crops, but had no idea who did that and how it was done. He couldn’t imagine his father being involved in the negotiations.
The clock struck the hour. It was nearing time for luncheon when he decided to go up and see what was going on in the schoolroom. The one thing he had not heard and knew he had heard when his older sisters were at home was music. He might not know much about raising young ladies, but he did know they were supposed to be able to play the piano and possibly the harp. When he arrived at the door to the schoolroom, he stood off to the side listening to his sisters being taught Latin declensions. He had no problem with them learning Latin. In fact, it was a good basis to learn other languages. He’d had a much easier time with Italian because of his Latin. The question was were they also being taught what they needed to be to take their places in Society?
He should have spoken to the governess before now. Alex knocked on the door. “Good
afternoon, ladies.” He glanced at his sisters, who had put down their pencils. “Penelope and Phillida, I shall meet you in the breakfast room for luncheon.” They looked quickly at their governess before putting their pencils and paper away. “Miss Rivers, forgive me for not introducing myself earlier. I am Exeter.”
“Good day, my lord.” She gave a shallow curtsey more suitable to minor gentry than a marquis. It seemed almost grudgingly given. He tried not to allow the slight to irritate him. Still, if she did not show the proper manners, how would she instruct his sisters in them?
The girls walked out of the room as he entered. When he no longer heard their steps, he said, “I would like to see your lesson plan for each of my sisters. You may have it on my desk by morning.”
Her back straightened, and her chin rose. “I have never been required to provide a lesson plan for my pupils before.”
He’d like to know who she had taught before. He also remembered his sister saying something about Lady Dorie being involved with their lessons. Why was Miss Rivers lying and what was she trying to hide? “Be that as it may.” He forced himself to reply politely. Arguing with the governess would not be good for his sisters. If he had to replace her, he’d rather have someone already hired before he let this one go. Something deep inside him thought there might be a scene. That he’d not be able to avoid. “I have no experience with what young ladies learn, and I wish to know what it is they are being taught. Think of it as instructing me.”
“Very well, my lord. I shall have a list of their studies to you before this evening. Once you have had an opportunity to read it, I will be happy to answer any questions you might have.”
Alex inclined his head. “Thank you, Miss Rivers.”
Now to go down and convince his sisters he wasn’t an ogre.
The girls glanced up quickly when he entered the breakfast room. “How would you like to go to Gunter’s for ices tomorrow afternoon?”
Phillida was the first to answer. “That would be splendid. Ophelia has told me how good they are.”
He glanced at his other sister. “Penelope, would you like it?”
“Yes, please.” She cut a piece of cheese. “I would enjoy going.”
“Very well. Tomorrow it is.” He took a slice of ham and some cheddar cheese from the dishes on the table before cutting a piece of bread. “It’s been a long time since I had one. The Italians have something of the sort.”
“What was Italy like?” Penelope asked.
He described how the different areas of Italy all had their own foods, and by the time Penelope and Phillida left for their outing, Alex thought that they had a much better understanding of him and he of them. He decided to make a habit of taking them out for some sort of treat on a regular basis. He must also find a lady to take them shopping and do other things that ladies did, as well as find a music teacher and someone to teach them drawing. Alex thought he remembered his sisters having masters for that sort of thing. He considered broaching the subject with Lady Dorie during their carriage ride tomorrow, but decided to speak with Lady Huntingdon first. He might even hint that he was interested in her daughter and see if she was receptive to the idea of a match.
After drawing out a sheet of foolscap, he cut it into fourths and began making notes. Surprisingly, or perhaps not, a little more than an hour later his butler brought a sheet of paper from the governess listing the subjects his sisters were studying. It looked a great deal like what he had studied. The only problem was there was no room for music, drawing, and needle work. He didn’t even know if the girls knew how to sew samplers. Alex couldn’t believe Lady Dorie had approved this lesson plan. He glanced at the clock and wondered if Lady Huntingdon would be at home or doing whatever it was that ladies did with their days. Alex scribbled a note to her asking for a meeting at her earliest convenience and sent it over with a footman. Several minutes later, a response arrived informing him she had no time at the present, but that she would meet with him after making morning calls and that he should call around three thirty.
He wrote her that he would see her then and had a footman deliver the note.
As soon as the footman left, his butler knocked and entered holding several sheets of paper. “My lord, the cook would like you to approve the menu.”
“Approve the menu?” He’d never heard of such a thing.
“Yes, my lord. There is no one else to do it.”
Alex supposed that is what the mistress of the house did. He held out his hand and Coyne handed him the menus. The dinners each had three courses and several removes. The meals were much more elaborate than what had been served since he’d returned home. The change was obviously for his benefit. It was more than he and his sisters needed, but he supposed the staff ate what remained. “This is fine.”
“Thank you, my lord.” The butler collected the pages.
“Ask Mawson to attend me.” It had occurred to Alex that the girls might like riding, but he didn’t know either their skill or if they even had horses here.
“Right away, my lord.”
He tapped his pencil on the table. What else did he need to know and who could tell him? Then he remembered his old nurse was here. Alex went to the door and opened it. “Tell Nurse I wish to see her.”
Several minutes later, Nurse walked in. “I thought you’d forgotten about me, my lord.”
Alex hugged the old woman. She must be seventy if she was a day. “I wouldn’t have known you were here, if not for Phillida mentioning it. Since then I’ve been trying to figure out how to manage everything that’s occurred.” He led her to the soft chair near the fireplace. “Please sit. I am at a loss as to what to do with my sisters. I know they need all sorts of things, but for some reason I can’t seem to think.” Stepping over to the door, he closed it. “Now we can speak freely. They are skittish around me. Mrs. Wooton told me that was to be expected, but what I don’t know is what were they like before?”
“Normal girls. They had some friends on a neighboring estate and the vicar has girls close to their ages. Her ladyship fair doted on them.” Nurse stared off into the fire. “Then it all changed. They were brought here and your mother left.” Her lips pressed together. “All things considered, they are handling it as well as can be expected. I will say that Lady Dorie stepping in as she did was a blessing.”
Yet another reason he must marry the woman. “I’ve heard she kept things running smoothly.”
“She also introduced Phillida to her sister who’s the same age and bought them little things that brighten up a girl’s day.”
“Such as the ribbons.”
“Oh, yes. The ribbons.” Nurse smiled. “She arranged for them to go shopping with her sister as well.”
And because he had returned, all of it had stopped. “What can I do for them?”
“Listen to them and love them. It won’t take long for your sisters to get to know you. They are confiding children.”
The clock chimed the time. “I must go to Lady Huntingdon’s.”
“If you rely on her, you’re in good hands.” Nurse pushed herself up from the chair. “I’ll tell you if there is anything more to worry about.” When she reached the door she said, “I’d look for a new governess. There’s nothing I can put my finger on, but that one is trouble.”
“Thank you.” Alex was glad to have his doubts about the woman confirmed. He snatched up his notes and the governess’s list, and escorted Nurse to the stairs. At the door his butler handed him his hat and cane as he exited the house. His meeting with Mawson would have to wait.
CHAPTER SEVEN
As Dorie washed and changed into a morning gown, she castigated herself for her behavior toward Lord Exeter. In her mind, she had even failed to give him the courtesy of his rank. Yes, she called other gentlemen only by their titles, but those men were either friends she had known most of her life or relatives, such as her older brot
her. She had never done it derisively. He had been charming and funny, while she had kept her observations and answers so curt they had been just short of rude. What was worse was that she knew better. She was not a young lady still in the schoolroom. This was her second Season, and she knew better than to behave in a manner that would embarrass her parents if they knew what she had done. She still did not wish to marry him, but she vowed to be nicer to him and treat him with the respect any human being deserved, especially a peer of the land. Her mind settled on her course of action, she made her way to the breakfast room where she found her father already at the table.
Dorie took a plate and went to the sideboard as Banwell, her father’s butler, signaled to one of the footmen. “Good morning. You are up early.”
“I have meetings this morning before the voting begins. And I must speak with St. Eth about helping me sponsor Exeter. He needs two marquises, and I want to make the offer before any of his father’s cronies realize he’s back in Town.”
She began filling her plate with eggs and rare roast beef. Riding always gave her an appetite. “His father was a staunch Tory, was he not?”
“Indeed he was.” Papa glanced up from his paper. “But I have spoken to Exeter on a few issues, and I believe he will join us.” He grinned. “At least none of the Tories have approached him yet. First, though, I must make sure Exeter’s writ of summons is on its way.”
Thinking that Lord Exeter would hold his father’s views, Dorie had not mentioned politics at all. “It would be wonderful if you can convince him to join our party.”
“Yes, indeed, daughter. Yes, indeed. Hence my early morning.” Papa swallowed the last of his tea and stood. “A good day to you. Please tell your mother I do not know when I’ll be home.”
She kissed his cheek as he passed her. “You have a good day as well and good luck.”
Toast and a fresh pot of tea arrived, and she poured a cup. Once she had finished it and poured another, she took out her pocketbook and began remaking the list of the gentlemen in whom she might be interested. First on her list was Lord Fotheringale. He was not as politically active as Dorie would like, but a wife might be able to change that. Second was Mr. Seaton-Smythe, if his affections had not already been attached. She might have to ask Miss Emerson a few discreet questions. Lord Gray was suitable, but she did not know much about him. Lord Ailesbury, the heir to the Marquis of Alton, was on the left side of the party, making his politics attractive to her, but he wagered more than she liked. Dorie ate some of her eggs, then chewed a piece of toast, trying to think of anyone else, but there was no one she thought she could possibly marry.