To Release an Earl

by Ilene Withers

  For the next day, Willa and her cousin had planned a tour of the gardens for the ladies, while the viscount and John took the gentlemen on a tour of the stables. While Willa was capable of pushing her own chair now, she wasn't yet in the condition for pushing it long distances or over rough ground. Consequently, her favorite footman, Morton, accompanied the women through the grounds, pushing Willa's chair. The weather was pleasant without anything more than the gentlest of breezes, and they all enjoyed seeing the autumn plants. Willa noted that her mother seemed to be enjoying herself and realized suddenly that she had been staying at home much more than normal since the accident. It saddened her to realize how much she had inadvertently effected everyone's life.

  It was in the afternoon, when they organized an archery tournament. Chairs were assembled on one of the patios for the older attendees, while the younger guests practiced archery. Due to the differences in skill levels between the genders, Fayre recommended that each gentleman choose the name of a lady to be on his team. The scores, then, would be for the two of them. As she passed around the hat with the young women's names in them, Willa watched anxiously to see whose name John drew. He looked at her, winked, and said, "I drew my fiancée's name."

  No, that would not do. He must draw one of the other women's names. Calmly, Willa spoke aloud. "Well then, John, to be sporting, you must put it back and draw another. After all, Tabor did not select his own wife's."

  Willa received help from an unlikely source. Mr. William Webster chimed in, "Yes, Roydon, you must draw again. I have been watching Miss Dutton and made note of how skilled she is at pushing her own chair around. She is by far the strongest of the women here, and some of us need that benefit far more than you do."

  "Indeed, Roydon, I am flabby compared to you, and I had hoped to draw Miss Dutton's name for myself," Viscount Gage spoke.

  John could do nothing else than to put Willa's name back in the hat and draw out a second choice. He smiled at his second draw. "Lady Tabor!" He strolled over to his friend's wife and held out his arm. "Melinda, shall we show this pitiful group of archers just how it is done?"

  Willa fumed silently. This was not helping her plan. However, she moved ahead with the activity, having had her name drawn by Mr. Hart. She had not practiced archery in some time, certainly not since before the accident, but she found that she shot the arrow with more force than before. The chair caused her to be shorter, and so she had to aim up, but it did not seem to make any difference, for she and Mr. Hart easily won the tournament.

  That evening when playing cards, Willa waited as the guests seated themselves. While she was needed to make an even number of tables, she pretended she had to see Abbott about something. This way she was delayed, and by the time she was ready to wheel herself to a table, Miss Russell and the Earl of Shelton had already made up the table with John. Even though John would be her partner, she could use the time to promote Miss Russell to him.

  Miss Russell had not taken during season after season. In fact, Willa had just learned that Miss Russell was four and twenty. It was not that she was unattractive, although she did need a dresser who would assist her in selecting more complimentary colors to go with her dark blonde hair and lackluster gray eyes. It was that Miss Russell was a bit of a bluestocking. This aspect of her personality, however, was what had prompted Willa to invite her. John appreciated a clever mind and a quick wit. She decided to use the opportunity to make John more aware of both Miss Russell and Miss Marty all at the same time.

  "Did I hear, Miss Russell, that you started a book club in London?" Willa said.

  "Yes." The woman was obviously proud of her group, as the smile she offered carried into her gray eyes and they changed from lackluster to enlivened. "We are a select group of ladies who read books chosen for enlightenment or the improvement of the mind."

  Willa noticed John seemed interested. "Do you read an assigned portion of the book, then, much like we did at university?" he asked.

  Miss Russell said drolly, "Since women are not allowed to attend university, I cannot say for sure. However, we do choose what amount we can read each week. For example, last week we chose to read three chapters."

  "Then you discuss it?" Willa prompted.

  "As we read, we each write down one discussion question per chapter, and then at our meetings we spend our time in conversation over those." She laughed heartily. "It can become quite interesting. Not everyone agrees with the rest of the group, and we have had some lively arguments."

  "I remember those at school," John pointed out. "I always enjoyed the arguments, didn't you, Shelton?"

  The other man said, "Honestly, I didn't enjoy the arguments much. In fact, I usually looked out the window wishing everyone would be silent and let us move on with our studies so we might be dismissed early. I much preferred spending my time in the boxing ring or fencing with a worthy opponent."

  "Well, I always enjoyed the argument," John returned. "In fact, I often started the argument despite what side I was on."

  Miss Russell sat up straighter. "I do that in my book club," she said. "I often agree with what the others are saying, but I enjoy the discussion so much I occasionally choose to play the devil's advocate."

  The conversation at the table grew livelier with that statement. John and Miss Russell seemed to be quite attuned to each other's methods of discussion. It was so much so, that Willa began to feel sorry for the other earl and finally steered the conversation around a bit to better include him by saying, "I must agree with the earl. I used to hope my governess would dismiss me early so I might escape to the stables."

  The next day brought a scavenger hunt in the afternoon. As hostess, Willa was forced to bow out of the activity since she had designed the game, as had her cousin. The older guests did not participate while the younger guests were divided into teams of three each. Willa put her fiancé with Miss Clark and the Earl of Tabor. A married man would offer him no competition for the younger woman. Miss Matthews had been teamed with the earl's wife and Mr. Hart. That left Miss Russell with Mr. Webster and the young viscount. Mr. Miller and the older Miss Matthews had been drafted to participate on Lord Shelton’s team. The requirements took them over much of the estate. They had clues leading them to the stables, to the attics, throughout other areas of the house, and even into the village. Willa had made sure four buggies were ready at the front door when each team needed them. She and Fayre spent the time they were all occupied to check over their plans for the remainder of the party.

  John's group was the second to return, joining Mr. Hart's group in the drawing room for tea. As they entered, John was laughing, his familiar face wreathed in a smile and his blue eyes dancing with excitement. The others, too, seemed merry and Willa was sure Miss Clark had seized the opportunity to let John get acquainted with her rather delightful personality.

  Willa had invited Miss Marty and the young Mr. Hampstead to participate in an excursion in mid-week. The younger set piled into open vehicles in groups of four. Willa insisted on the pony trap being readied for herself. It was lower and easier for her to be lifted into, and since they had two more than would fit in the other vehicles, it made sense. Intending to take Fayre with her, Willa was surprised when John leapt in beside her and reached for the reins. "I intended to take Fayre with me," she announced somewhat coolly. John leaned toward her, his upper body brushing hers, "I told her to ride with Ronald Hampstead. They are of an age and are both a little out of place with the rest of us being somewhat older. I put them in with Tabor and Melinda, so they are well chaperoned and cared for. Besides, I have not been allowed to spend enough time with you."

  Willa said little in reply. After all, she could hardly say, "But you are to spend time with Miss Clark, Miss Matthews, Miss Russell, or Miss Marty. You must find another woman to marry!" Instead, she remained quiet and let her love take over the control of the horse pulling the trap.

  As John led the way down the lane toward the ruins, he said, "Your party is a success."


  "I do hope so. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, but I still worry."

  "The scavenger hunt yesterday was a smashing success," he said. "I know for a fact everyone had a good time."

  "Yes, you and your party seemed to have fun. Certainly, you were all laughing when you arrived."

  "Miss Clark has a wonderful sense of humor. She has a way of regaling stories to ensure everyone laughs."

  "Oh, she does, doesn't she? She must keep those close to her smiling all the time."

  The weather the next day was perfect for Willa's plans, and the entire party walked to a nearby lake where they were met by footmen who had fishing paraphernalia and a picnic lunch set up. Willa drove herself there in the pony cart, accompanied only by Brooks. She insisted everyone else should walk to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather and the exercise. Willa did not fish when she arrived, as it was difficult to get close enough to the shore in her Bath chair; however, she enjoyed watching the others. It was Miss Matthews who approached John and asked for some coaching on casting techniques. Willa watched with interest, but noted her fiancé was never less than circumspect.

  The neighbors joined them that evening, and Cook treated them all to trout almandine made from the bounty caught that day. After dinner, Willa organized charades. She knew for a fact Vicar Wright particularly enjoyed them, and she counted on him to keep the excitement for them moving along. At one point in the game, Miss Marty was acting out a book title. Most of the group seemed clueless as to what she was attempting to portray when suddenly John burst out with the title. "You seem to be sympathetic with Miss Marty," Willa commented to him quietly as he was sitting next to her.

  "I would have acted it out exactly the same way," he replied.

  That night, in the room she still shared with Fayre, Willa mused about the progress of her goal of letting John go. He seemed to enjoy all the women she had invited. She still felt, however, that Miss Marty had more in common with John, and tonight had been an example of how compatible they were. The next day, she had scheduled a horse race and invited all the neighbors in for the day. She would need to corner Miss Marty again to get her reaction over John. Willa sighed, suddenly wishing with all of her heart that she could roll over.

  "What are you thinking?" came Fayre's voice through the dark.

  "A lot of things, but primarily I wish I could roll over."

  Fayre threw the covers back. "Why didn't you just ask me? I'm perfectly capable of helping you roll over." She walked around the bed and pulled Willa's covers down to the bottom of the bed. "Toward the middle of the bed?"

  "Yes, please."

  "Twist your torso that way and I'll move your hips and legs."

  The two worked together and finally, with a huge sigh, Willa lay on her side. Fayre covered her back up and hurried around the bed to crawl in beside her, facing the center as well. "Now you can tell me what else is on your mind," she said to Willa.

  "It's complicated," Willa hedged.

  "You know, I am pretty intelligent. I'm almost eighteen and I have been educated by my parents. My father especially has had me read all types of treatises and lectures and sermons. I can understand complicated."

  "Of course you can," Willa said apologetically. "It's, well…it's personal."

  "I'm a vicar's daughter. I have also learned how to be discreet. You wouldn't believe what I have overheard parishioners telling my father, yet no one has any idea I know. My father and mother have also taught me to be wise."

  Willa finally chuckled. "You're right. You are all of those things – smart, educated, discreet, and wise. And it would feel good to talk to someone."

  Fayre lay patiently on her side of the bed, waiting for Willa to begin. At last, she did. "I have decided to release John from our engagement."

  That got her cousin's attention. She sat straight up in bed with an exclaimed, "No!"

  "Yes," Willa replied calmly.

  "I thought you loved him." Fayre sounded almost hurt that she might have believed something of Willa that was not true.

  "I do love him," Willa whispered. "That's why I've decided to let him go."

  "I don't understand."

  Willa searched for the words to explain herself and finally, remembering their first trip to Townsend Park Farms in the pony trap, she peered at Fayre through the darkness. "Do you remember when we first took the pony trap over to Townsend Park Farms?"

  "Of course," came the reply.

  "Do you remember how Miss Marty was looking at the bull, the one behind the extra high fence?"

  "Yes, she said she had to have the fence increased in height because he always jumped the other fences."

  "And she was thinking of selling him," Willa reminded Fayre. "She told us he was her favorite bull, but she knew he couldn't be happy when she had to lock him up to keep him home."

  "I remember," Fayre said as she snuggled back down into the bed.

  "The other night I heard Miss Marty tell John she had sold the bull to a man in Scotland. Someone who has a lot of land so the bull would have more room to be free. That is why I am going to let John go."

  Fayre was silent for a bit. "I guess I am not as intelligent and wise as I thought because I don't understand, Willa."

  "I'm paralyzed, Fayre. I can no longer walk, or ride, or dance. John and I have always loved to ride together, whether it is sedately through a park or headlong over the open land. Now I can't."

  "I don't think your relationship is built only on the fact you can ride together," her cousin suggested kindly.

  "No, it isn't," Willa said patiently, "but it's not just that. Both Dr. Saunders and Dr. Lead warned me about having children. Dr. Saunders has said I don't dare risk it. I prefer to think Dr. Lead might know more and he said I can have them, but I shouldn't rush into it in case it might make my condition worse. John deserves an heir. Indeed, he needs an heir, Fayre. It is his duty."

  The two were silent for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Willa continued. "That is why I am having the party. I want him to meet other eligible women, to realize he needs to let me go because I am afraid, otherwise, when I tell him, he will do the honorable thing and refuse."

  "He would," Fayre agreed. "Your John is an honorable man."

  "I have been watching them. Miss Russell is a bluestocking, and I think John admires her. They both like to start arguments in a discussion just for the sake of starting them."

  Fayre laughed lightly. "I can see that of both of them."

  "And he said he admires Miss Clark's sense of humor. When they came back from the scavenger hunt, they were all laughing. I remarked on it and he told me she had a wonderful sense of humor."

  "I'm not sure it means anything, Willa. Most everyone likes a person with a wonderful sense of humor unless they are exceptionally dour."

  "This is true," Willa admitted, "but there might have been something more there. It is difficult to tell. And, you were busy visiting with Ronald Hampstead, but I noticed Miss Matthews approached John today at the lake. She asked him to demonstrate casting techniques to her."

  "I did notice, Willa, and it is not like he wrapped his arms around her or anything. I don't think you can assume anything from the incident."

  "Perhaps not," Willa agreed reluctantly, "but I know he admires Miss Marty. Tonight, when he guessed the book title she was portraying that no one else could, he told me he would have acted it out in the exact same way."

  Fayre remained quiet.

  "And they share so much interest in agriculture and livestock. Have you heard them talk about their cattle?"

  "I can't say I have," Fayre said.

  "They both enjoy the conversation immensely. You can hear it in the tone of their voices and see it in their faces. They are like, well, quite good friends. Don't you see? They would be perfect for each other. They have many shared interests, and Miss Marty could provide him with healthy babies, and she could ride with him. In fact, she would probably ride astride!"

&nbs
p; "So your plan is to tell John you do not want to marry him and then encourage him to court Miss Marty instead?"

  "Exactly."

  Chapter Sixteen

  The house party was over, and the guests were beginning to leave. John was ready for them all to be gone. Something had been going on with Willa, and he was determined to get to the root of it. She had insisted he spend time with the other guests, something he would have done naturally. But it seemed to him like she was intentionally pushing the single females toward him. He had been forced to spend extra time with Miss Matthews, Miss Russell, and Miss Clark. Then, when the neighbors had joined them, Willa had made sure he spent plenty of time with Miss Marty Robinson. This seemed unusual to him as most young women preferred their fiancés did not spend time with other eligible women. Additionally, there had been a few times when she seemed cool toward him, even irritated that he wanted to spend time with her. It was almost as if she was pushing him away.

  When the last guest had left, he turned to find her and saw she was being carried up the stairs by Morton. He bounded up after them. "Willa, I would like to speak with you privately."

  "John, I'm exhausted after all the activities. I am going to spend the afternoon relaxing and napping. Another time, perhaps."

  He had been dismissed. Thoroughly dismissed. Feeling completely rejected he strolled to the stables to exercise one of the horses. Even a long, fast ride on Pirate did little to blow away the emotions he was experiencing.

  John made it through the evening, in which every time he tried to speak to Willa she brushed him off. Finally, she claimed a headache and went to bed early. The next morning, she sent down word with Molly that she was feeling poorly – her headache was lingering – and she would relax in a darkened room before having a light lunch served to her there. Once again, John was left cooling his heels. He spent the morning dealing with business from afar by writing to his steward in response to the man's last letter. He also wrote to his mother, updating her on the status of Willa's condition and trying to amuse her with tales of the house party. That afternoon he took his own horse out for a ride, going into the village for lack of a better destination.