A Game of Chess With the Marquess

by Patricia Haverton

  “That’s a good outlook,” he said.

  “It’s just the truth,” she said. “What are the good things in your life? Fine clothing and servants to tend to your needs?”

  He laughed. “Do you think so little of me?”

  “I don’t think anything of you,” she protested. “I don’t even know you.”

  “The good things in my life,” he said. “I suppose the best thing is the free time that having money affords me. I don’t have to work, and that gives me time to study. To read. Time to spend with my mother.”

  “Are you close with your mother?” she asked.

  “Yes,” he said. “It’s for her sake, really, that I’m here. She’s the one who is concerned with marriage, and with ensuring that I have an heir.”

  “So you don’t want to marry?”

  “I’m not anxious to marry,” he said. “I suppose I’d like to someday, if the right lady came along. But I’m not sure I’ve met her just yet.”

  Lenora said nothing.

  He shook his head. “I’ve done it again, haven’t I? I’ve put you in an awkward position by speaking ill of Lady Katherine.”

  “It’s all right,” she said, surprising herself. “I wouldn’t say you actually said anything unkind about her this time.”

  He nodded. “I don’t mean to disparage her. She’s a fine young lady. I feel sure she’ll make some man a wonderful wife. And if I was in a hurry to marry, if I felt as my mother does about it, I might well choose her. She’s lovely, and she has good social graces.”

  “Then what’s the problem?” Lenora asked.

  “You know I can’t answer that without breaking one of your rules.”

  She hesitated. “I’ll allow it this time.” She shouldn’t be encouraging him to criticize Lady Katherine, she knew, but she had to admit, she was curious about what he had to say.

  “All right,” Lord Galdhor agreed. “The problem with Lady Katherine is that she’s just too different from me. It’s not a flaw in her character, really. But she doesn’t seem interested in learning, or thinking, or understanding the world around her. Her interests lie in parties and pretty dresses.”

  “I see.” Lenora had to admit that Lord Galdhor had taken the measure of Lady Katherine well.

  “And parties and pretty dresses are certainly fine interests to have,” he hastened to add. “I don’t mean to criticize, truly. But the two of us would have nothing to talk about. Already it’s become a struggle, and I’ve only been here for a few days.”

  “Not everyone has a wife he can talk to,” Lenora pointed out. “Many men marry for other reasons.”

  “I know,” Lord Galdhor said. “And if I were looking for a lady I could bring to social events, one who would catch the eye and charm the ton, Lady Katherine would be a perfect fit. But I want someone I can enjoy conversation with as well.”

  “You aim high, My Lord.”

  “And yourself?” he asked. “What do you hope for when you marry?”

  “Me!” Lenora laughed. “I’m unlikely to marry, My Lord.”

  “Why do you say so?”

  “Look at me.”

  “I am. You’re lovely.”

  “You’re kind. But—” her fingers wandered up to her eyepatch. “Not many men will overlook such a flaw as this.”

  “I see no flaw.”

  She was at a loss for words. Of course, he must see the eyepatch that dominated her face. What could he mean by that?

  “Besides,” he went on, “even if you were not as lovely as you are, homely people marry all the time.”

  “But I’m a maid,” she said. “In order to take a husband, I would require the blessing of those I serve. And Lady Katherine will never give me her blessing to wed.”

  “You could leave your position,” he suggested.

  Lenora laughed. How little he knew about the struggles of her life. How little he understood. She couldn’t just leave her position. Nothing in the world would justify such a reckless decision.

  “Do you truly believe that you’ll never marry?” he asked.

  “Marriage isn’t for me,” she said. “Marriage is for nobility. It’s for ladies who have the time to make themselves lovely and dance attention on their husbands. It’s not meant for a working girl.”

  He shook his head in wonder. “And yet you still describe your life as full of good and bad just like any other.”

  “And so it is,” she insisted. “Just look at you. You’re here because you’ve been pressured to marry, to take a lady you don’t want as your wife. I can assure you, no one will ever put me in that position. There is freedom in my life, Lord Galdhor, freedom I wouldn’t enjoy if I was noble.”

  “I suppose you’re right,” he said.

  She nodded. “And now I should go. I must prepare Lady Katherine’s room before she retires for the evening.”

  “Very well,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed talking to you, Lenora. It’s interesting to learn more about someone so different from myself.”

  “Yes, My Lord.” She retreated from the room before he could see that she was blushing.

  She took the stairs up to Lady Katherine’s room at a run, half afraid that he would call after her. If he did, she knew, she would not be able to restrain herself from turning back.

  What just happened?

  How could she have allowed herself to indulge in such a conversation with the Marquess? She had told him things about herself that almost no one knew. She had opened up about so many of her private thoughts and feelings…what had she been thinking of?

  He’s laughing at me right now, I’m sure of it.

  But she wasn’t sure of it at all. It was easy to believe that a marquess might laugh at a maid who behaved as she had. But did she really think that Lord Galdhor thought her a fool?

  No.

  He had initiated every conversation they’d had. He had been the one to express interest in her life. And he had responded in kind, telling her everything he thought about his own social standing and his feelings for Lady Katherine…

  She’s going to be furious. She’ll never allow me to stay in the manor if she ever learns what I’ve done. It won’t matter how much the Duke wants me here. Lady Katherine will never rest until she sees me out on the street.

  Chapter 8

  Adrian was no fool. He knew Lenora had struggled to feel comfortable with him when he first began talking to her. He saw the way her shoulders tensed when he entered a room and the way she refused to look him in the eye.

  But he also saw that that was beginning to change.

  Hadn’t he asked her if she wanted to be left alone? And hadn’t she told him no?

  And now, every time he saw her, every time he engaged her in conversation, she opened up to him a little more. She told him things he would never have imagined about her life at Brackhill Manor.

  One morning he lingered as she was clearing away the breakfast dishes and Lenora told him about the beauty of the view from her bedroom window. “You can see the whole of the city from there,” she said. “It’s particularly wonderful as the sun rises.”

  “I can only imagine,” Adrian said.

  “Don’t you have a view from your manor?”

  “It isn’t as fine as it is here,” Adrian said. “Galdhor Manor doesn’t sit atop a hill, so I never see the whole city spread out below me as you describe. And then, too, my chambers are not on the top floor as yours are.”

  “But you’re the Lord of the Manor,” Lenora protested. “Surely you have the power to claim any chambers you desire.”

  “You might think so,” he said. “But in actuality, there are traditions that must be observed and kept to. The Lord of Galdhor Manor has lived in the same chambers for generations. It would be shocking—scandalous, almost—if I renounced those rooms and chose to move to the top floor of the manor.”

  “What a strange thing to be scandalized by,” Lenora said.

  “The expectations place on members of my class are strange som
etimes,” Adrian said. “And almost always strict.”

  Lenora nodded. “That much I know,” she said.

  “Do you?”

  “Look at Lady Katherine, for example,” Lenora said. “She is lovely, and she knows how to conduct herself. But she must never be seen publicly without being immaculately groomed. It takes considerable time for her to ready herself to go to town, or even to receive visitors.”

  She looked shaken, suddenly. “I don’t mean to criticize her,” she added.

  The idea of speaking ill of Lady Katherine had continued to trouble Lenora. “Not to worry,” Lord Galdhor said. “What you’ve told me is true of all noblewomen. My mother is just the same.”

  Lenora’s face showed her relief. “I only meant to say that when I need to go to town, to purchase food for the manor, it’s much easier. I wear a clean dress and tuck my hair under a bonnet, and I’m ready. No one scrutinizes my appearance.”

  “And you find that freeing?”

  “Of course,” she said. “It’s perfectly acceptable for me to look a mess.”

  Adrian had to laugh at that. “Lenora,” he said, “I highly doubt you’ve ever looked a mess in your life.”

  She flushed and turned away. “As you say, My Lord,” she murmured.

  He had done it again. He had said something to make her uncomfortable, to push her away. He could understand why she felt the way she did. It must be very awkward for her to converse with a nobleman, not able to be sure of his intentions, knowing only that he had power over her.

  If only there was some way I could make her understand that I mean her no harm. If only I could express to her how interesting I find her, how much I enjoy it when she opens up to me. But these were things he did not know how to say.

  Rather than overstay his welcome in her presence, he decided to give her a bit of space to collect her thoughts. “I must be off,” he said, even though his presence was not required for a further quarter of an hour. “I’m wanted to take the air with the Duchess and Lady Katherine.”

  Lenora nodded. “You ought to go, then,” she said. “You best not be late, or they might come in search of you.”

  And that would lead to trouble. She didn’t have to say it. Adrian had noticed the way Lady Katherine cut her gaze toward Lenora whenever the two of them were in the same room. It was more than just the usual disregard of a lady for her servants. Lady Katherine actively disliked Lenora.

  Adrian wondered why that was.

  He left the manor and made his way down the sloping front lawn to the stables, thinking to look in on the horses before joining Lady Katherine and the Duchess in the garden. Adrian had always enjoyed horses and riding. The stables were one of the few places in Brackhill Manor where he felt relaxed.

  The stable hand had one of the mares out of her stall and was brushing her down when Adrian entered. “Good morning, My Lord,” he called.

  Adrian inclined his head. “Good morning to you. Jimmy, isn’t it?”

  “It is, sir.”

  “And who is this?” He rested a hand on the mare’s neck.

  “This is Gingersnap.” Jimmy ran his brush across the mare’s chestnut flank. “She belongs to Lady Katherine.”

  “Does she? I hadn’t realized Lady Katherine had a special horse of her own.”

  Jimmy nodded. “Indeed, Sir. His Grace the Duke gave Gingersnap to Lady Katherine when she was just a foal, and Lady Katherine was just a girl.”

  “That’s a lovely story,” Adrian said. A different picture of Lady Katherine began to take shape in his mind. Perhaps he had judged her too quickly yet. If she had once been the sort of girl who could love and nurture a foal, there must be more to her than met the eye.

  “Would you like to take one of the horses out, Sir?” Jimmy asked.

  “Thank you, but no,” Adrian said regretfully. “I’m due to meet Lady Katherine. I only came by to visit.”

  Jimmy nodded. “Come any time,” he said. “I’m always happy to saddle one up for you.”

  “Thank you,” Adrian said. He patted Gingersnap on the nose one last time and made his way out of the stable and up the grounds toward the garden.

  The Duchess and Lady Katherine were waiting for him. “Lord Galdhor,” Lady Katherine said, offering him a demure curtsy and twinkling up at him from beneath an elaborate hat. “I thought perhaps you had forgotten me!”

  “Never, My Lady,” Adrian said, returning her courtesy with a bow of his own. “I merely passed the time with a walk down to the stables after breakfast.”

  “The stables?” she asked. “Why?”

  “I enjoy the horses,” he said. “As do you, I believe? I had the opportunity to meet Gingersnap. She was being groomed when I arrived.”

  “Gingersnap!” Lady Katherine laughed. “Not that old nag!”

  “She seemed like a lovely mare,” Adrian protested. “And your stable hand mentioned that you had had her since you were a child.”

  Lady Katherine waved a hand dismissively. “My father bought her for me years and years ago,” she said. “I must have been no more than nine years old, wouldn’t you say, Mother?”

  The Duchess nodded. “You were enamored of your little foal, I remember, but you soon lost interest.” She spoke as if Lady Katherine’s fickle behavior was an admirable quality.

  “What made you lose interest in her?” Adrian asked.

  “We got new horses, of course,” Lady Katherine said. “Father brought home additions to the stables quite regularly. And Gingersnap was never very fast or very beautiful. We have much better horses now. If you wish to take a ride later, My Lord, I would be happy to show you to some of our best,” she laughed. “You needn't waste your time on old Gingersnap.”

  He hadn’t been wrong about her. She’s just as shallow as I thought her to be. Adrian expected to feel disappointed—if Lady Katherine had shown some sort of redeeming quality, he might have been able to persuade himself to marry her.

  But to his surprise, he wasn’t disappointed at all. If anything, he felt relief. It’s as if I’ve been let out of a trap, he realized. I thought I might have convinced myself that this marriage contract was a good idea, and now I can freely go back to thinking it isn’t.

  But that raised a thorny question.

  He had thought—perhaps he had simply allowed himself to believe—that his reticence to marry Lady Katherine was an inconvenience. He had thought that, if she somehow managed to win him over, he would be happy.

  Now he knew that not to be the case.

  And that meant that he didn’t want to marry her, not only because of who she was, but for some other reason as well. He didn’t want her to win his favor.

  What on earth could be holding me back?

  * * *

  The days went on, and more and more, Adrian found himself looking for Lenora as he moved about the manor.

  Perhaps it was just that she served as such a welcome distraction from his struggle to get along with Lady Katherine. Every interaction with Lady Katherine felt like work. Adrian was constantly thinking about what to say next, what he could ask her that might lead to an interesting conversation.

  He tried. He made a genuine effort each and every time. He knew she was interested in her fine dresses, so he asked her about the styles she liked. It was a successful enough topic—she found plenty to say on the matter—but Adrian couldn’t focus on her answer. It was too dull.

  Nor did she understand the art of conversation. She had charm, of course—she would have been trained all her life to be charming. But she didn’t have any understanding of how to turn a discussion back to the other person. She talked and talked about her favorite dresses without once returning her attention to Adrian, asking him about his own favorite clothing or what dresses of hers he preferred.

  Not that he would have had an answer for either question. He couldn’t seem to find common ground with Lady Katherine, no matter how many times he tried to talk to her.

  With Lenora, however, it was completel
y different.

  With Lenora, there shouldn’t have been any common ground. Their lives had been completely different. She was a servant. And yet, somehow, they always found things to talk about.

  It’s as if the things we have in common are simply bigger than the things that separate us, Adrian thought. The fact that we live in the same world. The fact that we look up at the same stars at night. The fact that we know the same people.