A Rebellious Lady for the Brokenhearted Duke

by Leah Conolly

  As James took a few moments to catch his breath, he looked out over the countryside. A field of radiant yellow caught his attention. They had walked through it on the way here, but from this point of view, with the sun directly overhead casting its rays on the bright flowers, it looked stunning.

  “I never thought the world could be so different from this vantage point,” he said softly.

  “I think that few people want to see the world differently,” Elizabeth replied. “They are so stuck in their ways that they never try to find another perspective. How can one live that way when there are so many other people who walk along with them on the earth?”

  James stared at her, as she gazed out over the rolling fields. Braith had said something so similar a long time ago, he recalled. Though Elizabeth was feisty and rebellious on the outside, it was clear her mind was full of deep thoughts. Braith had been much the same, occasionally uttering concepts worthy of a philosopher.

  “And that is how you live?” James asked. “Looking at everything from a different point of view?”

  “I try.” Elizabeth met his eyes. “Imagine how dull life would be if every view, no matter how you looked at it, was the same.” She gestured over the landscape. “It is the same with people. Society dictates that we must all be the same, but we are not. Every person is different depending on how you look at them, and who is looking at them. Why should I act like someone else when I was made to be me? And why should I see people as who they are trying to be, instead of who they are?”

  James shook his head in wonder. “You are truly remarkable, Elizabeth.”

  She looked away, fidgeting. “Forgive me, James. I confess that I have had no one to discuss these thoughts with in a very long time.”

  “You may discuss them with me whenever you wish, without apology.” He sighed, finally starting to relax. “Braith would always encourage me to see the world differently.”

  Elizabeth didn’t reply. Silence reigned while James found himself perfectly content to simply bask in nature. However, he made the mistake of looking down, and the sight of the ground several feet below made him uneasy.

  “What say you,” he began, carefully shifting onto his feet, “to riding down to the sea? That is, if your father can spare a horse for me.”

  “I’m sure he will be delighted to lend you a horse.” Elizabeth clambered down through the branches with ease, finally landing with her feet firmly on the ground.

  James sighed, but followed her with a smile.

  * * *

  “You seem nervous, James,” Erin Wordsworth commented with a frown.

  James took a deep breath and stilled his hand, which had been tapping out a steady rhythm on the parlor table. “I want you to like Elizabeth, Mother.”

  “And you think I won’t?”

  James pressed his lips together. “I know that she does not come with the glowing reputation of an accomplished lady, but I ask you to see past that to who she really is.”

  Erin smiled and placed her hand over James’. “The only opinion of her character that matters is yours, James. If she makes you happy, that is all I can ask for.”

  Her words eased James’ qualms, if only a little. “Thank you, Mother.”

  The butler entered. “The Countess of Chester, Lady Isabelle Kinsley, and Lady Elizabeth Gladstone.”

  James frowned at the sight of the countess heading the party that entered. She hadn’t officially been invited, but James should have known she would come along with Isabelle and Elizabeth anyway.

  James and Erin stood to receive them. “Thank you for coming,” James said. He shared a wide smile with Elizabeth. “Mother,” he said as Elizabeth strode to him, “may I introduce Lady Elizabeth Gladstone?”

  Elizabeth curtseyed and offered a sincere smile to Erin. “It is wonderful to meet you at last, my lady.”

  “And you,” Erin said, matching Elizabeth’s smile. “I have heard so many favorable accounts about you from James. I look forward to getting to know you better.”

  James breathed a silent sigh of relief. He’d had no doubt that Elizabeth would behave when meeting his mother. She had told him that she had great respect for the woman who had raised him. Nevertheless, the thought of the two of them meeting had still been nerve-racking.

  “Now,” said Isabelle, once they were all seated at the parlor table, “let us begin our business. James, what do you think about the flower arrangements? I do believe that something with deep, rich colors would be best…”

  He tuned Isabelle out as he watched his mother turn and quietly speak to Elizabeth. Now that he had known her well for several weeks, he could tell that Elizabeth was anxious, as she was wringing her hands in her lap. But, once Erin had finished speaking, Elizabeth smiled, and, from the snippets of the conversation James heard, he thought she was telling his mother about their visit to Deuney Keep.

  “James? Are you listening? This is very important!”

  James blinked and turned his attention back to Isabelle. “Forgive me, Isabelle. I was distracted. Please continue.”

  “What about roses? They are so beautiful at this time of year.”

  James shook his head. “We need something brighter, like…” He glanced at Elizabeth’s shining blonde hair, done up into a neat bun, and thought of the field of yellow flowers back at Deuney Keep. “What about something yellow?”

  “Yellow?” the countess repeated. “Isn’t that a bit garish?”

  “Not at all.” He raised his eyebrows at Isabelle. “What do you think?”

  She nodded slowly with a thoughtful frown. “I do think it might work!” She turned to Elizabeth. “Elizabeth, James is insisting on yellow flowers. What is your opinion?”

  Elizabeth grinned at James. He thought she knew why he had picked yellow. “I think yellow flowers would be perfect.”

  Not long after, they went to the dining room for dinner. James was pleased that Elizabeth was once again seated next to his mother, though he grew anxious once he saw that Victoria was on her other side.

  “How are you finding the wedding planning so far?” Isabelle asked Elizabeth.

  “It is rather more ... involved than I thought,” she admitted. “I confess I am already exhausted.”

  “The wedding day will be here before you know it,” Erin said soothingly, smiling at Elizabeth. “When I look back now, I don’t remember the planning. I just remember how splendid everything looked, and how happy I was on my wedding day.”

  Victoria nodded in agreement. “It was the very same with me, both times.” She sighed and took a sip of wine. Everyone else remained silent. James sensed that the countess had more to say. “The day itself was exquisite. I hardly remember the tiring work of planning. Perhaps I left it to my husbands?” She laughed lightly.

  “Countess, forgive me,” said Erin, “I forgot about your recent loss. I was so sorry to hear of it.”

  Victoria looked sadly down at her plate, though James thought her frown looked a tad exaggerated. “Yes, it has been a terrible burden to bear. I thought I would never be over my grief the first time, and to have it happen again…” She trailed off into a long, sorrowful sigh.

  Elizabeth paused with her fork halfway to her mouth and cast a disdainful glance at the Countess. James saw with relief that Isabelle and his mother did not seem to notice. Some might chide Elizabeth for being inconsiderate, but James couldn’t blame her. Victoria was a consummate actress, merely speaking the words and playing at emotion rather than feeling it. He knew what it was like to lose someone, and that grief was not what he saw in Victoria’s eyes.

  “I understand,” Erin said, her expression softening with compassion. “My husband was the world to me. When I lost him, I hardly knew how to go on.”

  “It is an unbearable feeling, isn’t it?”

  Erin nodded. “Yes. And it is something that never quite leaves you.”

  James thought of Braith. His father. His heart sank at the talk of death and gloominess.

  “P
lease,” he interrupted, “may we talk of something more cheerful? We are in the midst of planning a wedding and celebrating two lives coming together. There is no need to overshadow this event with sorrow.”

  “Of course, James,” Erin said quickly, shaking her head as though waking from a dream. “You are right.” She smiled, though it seemed a little sadder than it had been. “There is no need to talk of death when such love and happiness abounds!”

  Yet James felt the weakness of her words. Gloom had settled permanently over the dinner table, and James couldn’t do anything to shake it.

  Chapter 15

  Elizabeth found herself in unusually cheerful spirits the following morning. Though there were still wedding planning to be completed, James was coming over for breakfast. For once, Victoria had other engagements and would be unable to join them.

  James arrived in the dining room, smiling, with eyes only for Elizabeth. She felt herself blush under his warm gaze and looked down at her plate as an excuse to hide her face from him.

  “Good morning, Isabelle, Elizabeth.” James took a seat next to her, across from Isabelle.

  “Good morning,” Elizabeth greeted him, smiling at him, once she was sure that a blush would not give her feelings away. “My godmother has lots of ideas for wedding planning today.” Elizabeth sighed. “I hope that you are prepared.”

  Isabelle shook her head. “There is still so much to be done!”

  “We will be completely at your disposal today, Isabelle. I do, however, have a proposal for you for tomorrow, Elizabeth.” James shifted his body towards her. “My mother and my son, Oscar, have gone to my estate for the weekend. I was wondering if you would like us to join them there tomorrow. I would very much like you to meet them.”

  Elizabeth paused and looked into his eyes. She was sincerely flattered that he would invite her to his estate, and that he truly wanted her to spend time with his son.

  “Yes,” Elizabeth said with a smile, overjoyed at the prospect of avoiding wedding planning and seeing James’ estate. “I would love to!”

  “James,” chided Isabelle, “are you sure this is wise? There is still so much to be done! Leaving for a whole two days is a long break indeed!”

  “We will only be gone for two days. I am sure that we will be prepared when the wedding day comes, Isabelle,” James consoled. “No matter how many times you ask me about the flowers, my answer will remain the same.”

  Isabelle huffed. “You are not taking it seriously.”

  James glanced at Elizabeth with a warm smile. “Trust me. I am taking our wedding very seriously. I simply do not want us to be so caught up in preparations that we forget what the event is about in the first place.”

  “I do need a reprieve, Isabelle,” Elizabeth added. “We will come back refreshed and ready to help you plan and prepare.”

  Isabelle’s gaze shifted between them. “It seems I am overruled. Of course, you may go, Elizabeth.”

  Elizabeth smiled at James.

  “Excellent!” James said. “If it is agreeable to you, Elizabeth, I will pick you up in my carriage tomorrow morning.”

  Elizabeth nodded. “I am very much looking forward to it.” She tried to imagine what James’s estate would look like. Would it be like her father’s, or larger?

  And what about his son? Elizabeth couldn’t remember if he had ever told her how old he was. Would he like her? What if he didn’t? What if she didn’t like him?

  Elizabeth decided that, as much as she was looking forward to the excursion, she also felt rather nervous about it.

  * * *

  The carriage ride was long, but Elizabeth took pleasure in seeing the unfamiliar countryside. James had told her that they were going north, up towards the Peak District. Elizabeth’s father had taken her family to the area only once when she had been very young, and she didn’t really remember it.

  “It is breathtaking,” Elizabeth commented, as she watched the rolling fields and mountains in the distance, and clusters of woods dotting the landscape. “There must be no shortage of diversions out here. There is so much nature all around you.”

  James smiled. “I thought you would like it. The landscape is a little different from your home, but there are still plenty of trees for you to climb.”

  Elizabeth chuckled. “Very good. I do not think I could feel at home without a tree to climb.” Elizabeth thought about what she’d said. This countryside would be her home in less than three weeks.

  The estate came into view from afar and James pointed it out. “There it is,” he said with a contented sigh. “I didn’t realize just how much I have missed my home until now.”

  Elizabeth could already tell that James’s estate was much larger than her father’s estate. As they drew closer, she only got a better sense of how vast the place really was. They passed through the gates and the grounds, which were beautifully landscaped. A stream ran through it, bordered by smooth stones on both sides. The grass was perfectly green, and there was a dense forest off to one side. Up ahead was the grand house, impossibly large up close. It didn’t even seem like a house that someone was meant to live in.

  “What do you think?” asked James.

  Elizabeth could hardly think of what to say. “It is absolutely beautiful,” she declared.

  James seemed pleased with her reaction. “I confess that I have spent a great deal of time designing the landscape,” he said. “I find it enjoyable and relaxing. It took me many years before I was finally happy with it.”

  The carriage drew up to the house. Elizabeth was helped out onto the gravel and, as she walked forward a few steps, was glad to stretch her legs.

  “I apologize for the long journey,” James said, smoothing out his coat.

  “There is no need to apologize. We are far away from London, and that is all I could have ever asked for.”

  James smiled, but before he could say anything further, a small boy darted out from the house. His brown curls bounced around his forehead, as he barreled straight for Elizabeth and wrapped his arms around her legs in the best hug he could manage at his height.

  Elizabeth laughed in surprise. James’ eyes widened with horror, but he joined in with a chuckle. Elizabeth patted the boy’s head. “You must be Oscar. I have heard so much about you from your father!”

  Oscar looked up at Elizabeth with wide, innocent eyes and asked, “Are you my new mother?”

  Chapter 16

  James stared at his son for several seconds, his mouth open in shock, having no idea what to say. Hadn’t he taught his son any manners? To ask such a question of Elizabeth!

  His cheeks burned. “Oscar,” he began to reprimand him, but Elizabeth was already talking to him. She crouched down to his height and took his hand in hers. The boy was gazing at her in wonder.

  “I cannot replace your mother, darling, but I do believe we will become great friends.”

  Once again, James was too stunned to say a single word, as he watched the scene play out. Oscar grinned at Elizabeth. “I’ve always wanted to have a lady for a friend!” he exclaimed, and then promptly tugged Elizabeth toward the house. Elizabeth cast a look back at James, chuckling as she allowed herself to be led away.

  James found himself moved by the scene. He followed them inside and took a deep breath of air. He had missed his home while being in the busy, crowded city of London. The country was so different, and his home so much more spacious.

  He watched Elizabeth, as they entered the house. Her mouth fell open, as they entered the foyer, revealing the impressive interior. Oscar laughed, his voice echoing throughout the chamber. “I can show you my room!”

  James chuckled and took Elizabeth’s free hand. “If you do not mind, Oscar, I think that I will show Lady Elizabeth around the house, since she has never been here. You may come with us, if you like.”

  Oscar frowned. “I will go find Grandmother instead and tell her that you are here.”

  James smiled. He had imagined that Oscar wouldn’t want to
walk around with the adults and hear all the “boring” talk. The boy rushed off, his footsteps clopping into the distance.

  There was a moment of silence. Elizabeth turned this way and that, clasping her hands in front of her. She beamed, her eyes wide and excited.

  “How do you like it so far?” asked James.

  Elizabeth laughed a little. “Did you expect me to be anything but awed?”

  “Well, to be completely honest, I thought you might find it all a bit too ostentatious.”

  “It is true that I cannot imagine living here,” she confessed. She reached a hand towards an elegant stair rail and glanced at James for permission. He nodded encouragingly. She laid a hand on the rail. “It seems like the sort of place you visit and only imagine the wealthy princes and kings who would live there.”