His Lordship's Vow (Regency Romance Short Novel)

by Cheryl Bolen

  "What's one more?" he asked, shrugging.

  She grabbed another gilt-edged dish and hastened back to the dining room. "It's not just one more plate, it's one more mouth to feed. Do not dare to take a second helping of turbot!"

  He threw up his arms. "Why are you in such a dust-up today, love? You act as if we're entertaining the king himself."

  "I am not in a dust-up. I'm trying to be my father's competent hostess." Her voice softened as she met his gaze. "Pray, Papa, who is this unexpected guest?" All she'd been able to think of all afternoon was one specific guest. Lord Slade.

  "A fellow by the name of Cecil Poppinbotham."

  "I'm certain I would remember that name. Are you sure he's in Parliament?"

  "Not yet. Wilhampton says that Poppinbotham's keen to stand for the Plymouth seat and that he's got significant funds to finance it."

  "His own money?" She rearranged the plates on one side of the table in order to squeeze in one more.

  Her father carried another chair to the overcrowded table. "Yes. The man's a printer. Made a fortune publishing penny pamphlets."

  "I don't think I've read penny political pamphlets." Miss Featherstone stood back and admired her work. Neither the table nor the dining room was more than a quarter the size of her uncle's, Lord Clegg's; yet, the elegance of Mama's delicate plate and the baroque silver epergne could not be surpassed at any of London's finest homes.

  "Oh, they're not political. They're religious. Moral tales and the like."

  "Then I dare say I've purchased a few," she said. "But why does the gentleman wish to come here?"

  "Apparently he wants to represent Whigs."

  A rapping sounded at the door, but of course her father did not hear it—though he would never admit he was losing his hearing. "Do go and get the door, Papa. Our first guest must have come." Her thoughts flitted to Lord Slade. One who was used to a house full of servants was probably not accustomed to residents answering their own doors.

  She recounted the place settings, then scurried down the backstairs to the kitchen to see if Mrs. Kling and the half-day cook should need her.

  By the time she strolled into the drawing room five minutes later, each of the invited guests had assembled. Including Lord Slade.

  All the gentlemen accorded her the courtesy of standing when she entered the chamber. One second of recognition, then her gender would be completely forgotten when the discussions began.

  Mr. Fortorney, a longtime colleague of her father's, addressed the devastatingly handsome Lord Slade. "May I say how honored we are that you still embrace us, my lord?"

  Lord Slade's gaze flicked to Jane for the briefest second before he answered. "The honor is entirely mine. I had not realized until I spoke with Miss Featherstone yesterday how very much I had missed these stimulating talks." His voice lowered. "How much I miss serving in Commons."

  "Oh, come now, Slade," her father said, "you cannot be sorry to have inherited a title and Dunvale Castle."

  His lordship gave a bitter laugh. "While I have some affinity for the family name and for Dunvale, I have never admired the English system of aristocracy."

  "Why is that?" Mr. Goldfinch asked.

  "I find men admirable for the deeds they've done—not for actions of long-ago ancestors. When I'm on my deathbed, I don't want to be remembered as the Eleventh Earl of Slade. I wish to be remembered for any good I may have done for my fellow man."

  "Dare I offer an opposing comment at my first foray into the Whig inner circle?"

  All eyes turned to the speaker, the newcomer, Mr. Cecil Poppinbotham.

  Jane took this opportunity to study the printer. She judged his age to be forty for his slickened black hair—most fashionably styled—was liberally streaked with gray. His rather gaunt face was at odds with the jauntiness of his dress. In fact, his whole manner of dress was that of a much younger man, perhaps a dandy on his first visit to Town.

  The white stripe that ran vertically along his rust-colored pantaloons matched the linen of his cravat, but there all coordination ended. His waistcoat was of lime green, his jacket a deep plum, and his shoes a peculiar shade of gray. There was a certain crispness about his clothing that attested to its newness, and the tailoring seemed very fine, indeed. No doubt, he had spared no expense in his quest to be a popinjay.

  Instead of thinking ill of him, though, Jane determined to be extra solicitous toward the poor fish out of water. She also realized the uninitiated like he might believe members of the House of Commons were truly common, when in actuality the majority consisted of peer's younger sons and brothers and others sponsored by powerful aristocrats.

  "Please do, Mr. Poppinbotham," her father said.

  "I believe it's unEnglish to lambast our system of aristocracy."

  Mr. Arthur nodded. "Dare say, I agree with you!"

  Mr. Poppinbotham preened. "People who oppose our system of peerage are cut from the same cloth as those who guillotine kings, meaning no offense to you, your lordship."

  Lord Slade merely nodded at the newcomer, a sliver of a smile tilting at the corners of his mouth. Miss Featherstone ran an appreciative eye over the earl. The somberness of the muted browns he wore certainly did not compete with the newcomer's foppish clothing.

  The drawing room door opened, and everyone eyed the gray-haired Mrs. Kling. The matronly housekeeper had kept everything in the Featherstone house running smoothly for more years than Jane had existed. "Dinner's on the table," she announced, then she returned to the kitchen.

  As they moved into the dining room, Jane watched Mr. Poppinbotham with amusement as he paused in front of the gilt-framed mirror, screwed up his mouth into a self-satisfied smile, and pet his greasy hair in the same loving way one pets a favored dog. Even as he walked away, he could not quite relinquish his reflective view—until he bumped into the door jamb.

  Besides her father and herself, seven others gathered around the rectangular table and began to fill their plates from steaming bowls that spread across the starchy white cloth.

  After the diners had filled their plates, Mr. Featherstone said, "Tell me, Mr. Poppinbotham, what made you decide to stand for Plymouth?"

  That he had not quite finished chewing his Brussels sprouts did not stop Mr. Poppinbotham from immediately responding. "I had the honor of meeting his grace, the Duke of Hawthorne, last month at the opening of a Sunday school he sponsored. At a small reception afterward, he was saying he hoped a Whig would stand for Plymouth, but it would take a man of means. By the manner in which he observed the quality of my dress, it was obvious he was referring to me. Though I'm not given to boasting, I had to, in all truthfulness, admit to his grace that I am perhaps the most prosperous prin---, er, publisher in the kingdom."

  "So you announced your candidacy then and there?" Lord Slade asked.

  Mr. Poppinbotham nodded. "I felt it my duty to give of myself for my country."

  "Very commendable," said Jane's kindly father before turning to the earl. "You, my lord, are certainly facing an uphill battle in Lords with your support of labor unions." His gaze flicked to Jane. "What was it Lord Symthington said last week?"

  "If he had to increase wages for the colliers in his mines," Jane said, rolling her eyes, "it would force him to close them. And, of course, everyone knows Lord Symthington's mines have been exceedingly prosperous."

  "Indeed," Lord Slade said. "In the past year alone he's purchased a yacht large enough for the Royal Navy and a castle in Ireland that's larger than his castle in Scotland."

  "He spouts much the same thing as Lord Bingley said about his prodigious stables," Mr. Goldfinch said with a chuckle.

  "Yes," Lord Slade added, a gleam in his black yes. "If all the grooms were to unionize, he'd have to sell off the finest horseflesh in the kingdom. It does seem to my colleagues that if the citizenry were given decent wages, it would run the entire country into the ground."

  "I had the good fortune to view Lord Bingley's stables," Mr. Poppinbotham interjected.
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  Lord Slade's brows lifted. "Then you enjoy the races at Newmarket?"

  "No. No." Mr. Poppinbotham vigorously shook his head. "Never been to Newmarket in my life. I neither gamble nor ride."

  "I expect your pr--, publishing concerns keep you enormously busy," Jane said.

  "Indeed they do, Miss Featherstone."

  "Tell me, Mr. Poppinbotham, does Hannah More write for you?" Mr. Featherstone asked.

  "I have had the honor of publishing some of her tracts."

  Lord Slade cast a glance down the table at Mr. Poppinbotham. "They must sell exceedingly well."

  "Allow me to say I wish I had three of her." Mr. Poppinbotham helped himself to a second serving of turbot, leaving the serving dish empty of everything save the buttery French sauce.

  "How many are employed by your publishing company, Mr. Poppinbotham?" Lord Slade asked.

  The printer puckered his lips, peered at the ceiling, and mumbled numbers before responding. "I employ a dozen printers, and then there are the lads who . . .distribute our work. That amount varies considerably. I'd say there are a couple of hundred of them."

  "There has been talk of a printers' union," Jane said.

  Mr. Poppinbotham's brows lowered. "Yes, I've heard."

  "Surely a generous man like yourself," Mr. Featherstone said, "a man who feels compelled to give to his country would not object to the unionization of the printers who work for him."

  The printer flicked a glance at Jane before answering. "No, of course not, though my men are already paid a decent wage."

  "Very commendable." Mr. Featherstone smiled. "Returning to Mrs. More, I met her once. A most righteous woman. What a pity her sympathies are so firmly with the Tories."

  Mr. Poppinbotham's mouth gaped open. "'Pon my word, I didn't know that!"

  "Like all Tories, she no doubt has a reverence for the monarchy," Lord Slade said.

  "Even for mad kings," Mr. Goldfinch said with a laugh.

  Jane frowned. "I beg that you not disparage our unfortunate king."

  "While I'm no admirer of monarchies, I would never wish either our king or our regent ill," Mr. Goldfinch defended.

  "It's not as if they have power such as the Bourbons enjoyed—and squandered." Lord Slade's gaze swept across the table. "Thankfully our Parliament holds the most power."

  Mr. Featherstone nodded. "And controls the Civil List."

  Jane smiled to herself, recalling how the government trimmed some of the extravagant requests in the regent's last Civil List.

  "Since you don't approve of the peerage system," Mr. Poppinbotham said to Lord Slade, "does that mean you'd be happy to do away with the monarchy?"

  "I'd be no happier abolishing the monarchy than I'd be tearing down my family home, Dunvale Castle. We English have a great respect for tradition."

  "Miss Featherstone, I read in this morning's newspaper of your kinswoman," Mr. Goldfinch said.

  Jane's brows lifted. "Lady Sarah?"

  Mr. Goldfinch nodded. "It appears she's expected to be the Season's most sought-after prize."

  "I cannot imagine anyone else could be possessed of all the attributes that have been bestowed upon my cousin." Jane's gaze flicked to Lord Slade, whose lids were downcast.

  "Pray, Miss Featherstone," Mr. Poppinbotham said, "how are you related to Lady Sarah?"

  "My mother was sister to the present earl."

  "Lady Mary's father was, of course, the previous earl," Mr. Fortorney said.

  "And I must say I do have a great reverence for Monmouth Hall, where my mother grew up." Jane smiled just thinking of the stately old home nestled among the gentle hills of the Peak District.

  Dinner conversation returned to politics, and Jane took the opportunity to study Lord Slade. He possessed as many attributes as Lady Sarah, though their qualities were in different areas. While he lacked a fortune like her cousin's, his knowledge vastly exceeded hers. Together, they would complement one another and would make a spectacular couple.

  Jane had slept little the night before. Her dilemma had kept her awake. Before she made a false step, she had to be certain a union between his lordship and her cousin was in the best interest of both. Then she realized no one would ever take a step if they waited for assurances about the future. Only fools could think themselves certain of the future.

  At the end of the evening as the gentlemen began to leave, Mr. Poppinbotham held her hand a few seconds longer than necessary. "I have business in St. Albans tomorrow, but I beg that you allow me to call on you the day after tomorrow, Miss Featherstone."

  So surprised was she over his interest in her, it took her a few seconds to realize what he meant. The man means to court me. He was as far from Lord Slade as a workhouse was to a palace. Just as far removed as she was from Lady Sarah. With a sinking heart, she knew how she had to reply. "Certainly, Mr. Poppinbotham."

  His step seemed lighter as he moved to the door.

  Lord Slade left next. His brows had been lowered as he watched Mr. Poppinbotham leave, but when he faced Jane, he was all smiles.

  Since the others were not near, she said, "I have a matter I'd like to discuss with you tomorrow, my lord."

  "Then I beg that you'll allow me to take you for a drive in the park."

  "Very well, my lord."

  * * *

  Miss Jane Featherstone felt like an imposter as she sat up on the phaeton beside Lord Slade. She was not a Pretty Young Thing with whom men chose to drive through Hyde Park. Never in her one and twenty years had a man so honored her. And it wasn't as if his lordship had singled her out for particular attentions. Her lovely cousin should be sitting in her place.

  But if Jane's plan was successful, the ton would soon know that it was only a matter of time before Lady Sarah would become Lady Slade.

  How very, very fortunate Lady Sarah was, Jane thought, trying to suppress bitterness over her own absence of attractions.

  She stole a glance at Lord Slade. There was something unquestionably masculine about a booted man grasping ribbons. Not that his lordship needed any props in order to look manly.

  They were deep into the park and had exchanged all the usual pleasantries before he asked her why she had desired a private word with him.

  * * *

  He had dreaded this meeting with Miss Featherstone. Ever since the night of the ball, he'd been unable to purge his feelings of shame. Miss Featherstone understandably would think him a fortune hunter, and for some reason it bothered him that he'd sunk so low in Miss Featherstone's eyes. There was nothing admirable in a man who wed for riches.

  He had calculated to bring up her private conversation when no others were nearby.

  "I have been thinking of the request you made of me the night of the debutants' ball," she began. His glance flicked to her serious profile. In the daylight the freckles dusting her Romanesque nose were much more visible than they were at night. She looked more like the girl he'd remembered so fondly than the young woman she'd become.

  He frowned. "Must you bring up something which shames me?"

  "My dear Lord Slade, you have no reason to be ashamed. You cannot have failed to notice no less than a dozen men have been dancing attendance upon my cousin. And why should they not? She's beautiful, she comes from one of the best families, and she happens to be a considerable heiress."

  She was no longer angry with him for scheming to marry an heiress? He straightened, took his eyes off his gelding, and stared at Miss Featherstone. "From your actions the other night, it was apparent that you found my interest in Lady Sarah to be. . .mercenary."

  "Then I must ask your forgiveness."

  "It's I who should be asking for your forgiveness. We both know my interest in your cousin was prompted for reasons that were not the most noble."

  Her face whipped to within inches from his. Her mossy green eyes held his. "How can you say it's not noble to want to save a castle that's been in your family since the Conquest? Or that it's not noble to wish to dower your young sis
ters?"

  He brought the horse to an abrupt stop and faced her. "How do you know these things?"

  "Your brother did me the kindness of escorting me to dinner after you left Lord Spencer's, and thinking that you and I were on some terms of intimacy, he told me of the Vow."

  He sucked in his breath and snapped his crop. His gelding leapt forward. Neither he nor she spoke for a moment, then she finally said, "I have always admired you, my lord, and I believe of all the men in London you would make the finest husband for my dear cousin."

  They came abreast of a passing phaeton and nodded to the passengers. "I am not worthy of your confidence."

  "You are a truthful man, are you not?"

  "Of course!"

  "Then I don't believe you would express feelings of affection toward Lady Sarah unless you were telling the truth. Am I not right?"

  "You are right."

  "Therefore, I have decided to see that you have the opportunity to win her affections—but only if you give me your word that you will never lie to her."

  "You know I would never tell a falsehood."

  "That means that the only way you will offer for her hand is after you can truthfully tell her she owns your heart."

  Love had never entered into his calculations, never been part of his plan. An heir often did not have the right to actually marry for love. An heir had a duty.

  How could he possibly know if he could fall in love with the heiress? There was the fact she was lovely. Very lovely. As he thought about what Miss Featherstone said, he realized she had not told him not to offer for Lady Sarah, but just not to offer for the lady until such time he could truthfully tell her he loved her.

  Surely he could fall in love with the lady.

  While he'd never thought to marry for love, he had always thought that once he was married, he would fall in love with the woman who shared his life and bore his children. And, of course, he would never be unfaithful to the woman with whom he'd been joined to in matrimony.

  "So, if I give you my word I would not offer for her until I can offer my love, you will help me woo her?"

  "I will."

  How would he ever be able to thank Miss Featherstone? Instead of making him feel like a fortune hunter, she tried to make him feel noble. He turned and offered her a smile. "I cannot tell you how honored I am that you have found me admirable. May I ask why?"