Regency Romance: The Earl’s Unexpected Journey Of Love (The Fairbanks Series - Love & Hearts) (Historical Romance Fiction)

by Jessie Bennett

  “Not necessarily, your grace,” Neville replied. “I am very interested in finding someone as soon as possible, so that I can make the final arrangements. Most of my planning is so well-oiled I can accomplish it all after a week. But to accommodate for a young woman on a trip – she will require an escort, and at least one servant! These are things I did not have to consider before. A young woman requires much more than an old man like me.”

  The men laughed softly.

  “That is true, my friend.” Cain nodded at him.

  Joshua watched the older men, wondering if Juliette was truly as hard to satisfy as her father seemed to assume. Escorting her might be a more demanding task than he had anticipated! He wondered if it were true, and almost smiled at his thoughts.

  Cain looked at his nephew with purposeful eyes, seeming to guess his thoughts. “What do you think, Joshua?”

  Joshua shook his head. “I am...undecided, uncle,” he said evenly. “I will have to think about it for a while.”

  “Do not deliberate too long.” Neville smiled at him gently. “I am sure Duke Worthington will have a list for me when I speak to him again.”

  “If you find a man who is more qualified than I, please feel free to choose him. I make no obligation toward you to choose me.” Joshua replied thinly. He had not meant to snap at the older man, but the assumption that he was so eager for this annoyed him. He was, but he did not wish to be so easily-read.

  Neville nodded contentedly. “I understand. Personally, I feel you would be a good match for her.”

  “What makes you say that?” Joshua raised his eyebrows.

  “I have seen the way you two interact.”

  Joshua was taken aback. “What do you mean by that? We barely spoke to each other.”

  Neville shrugged. “I saw something in my daughter that I have not seen in some time. A spark in her eyes, shall we say.”

  Joshua felt himself blush, but forced a frown. “I saw nothing like that,” he replied, noticing his voice was gruff with feeling and hating it for betraying his interest.

  Cain spoke up, leaning forward in his seat. “I agree with the young lord.” Joshua sighed gratefully, pleased to be released from the focus of their talk.

  “I only speak of what I saw,” Juliette's father demurred. “It does not necessarily mean that you are a good match for her. I only thought that in my own old head.” He smiled.

  “I understand,” Joshua said levelly.

  As the conversation changed, he thought about the beautiful girl and what it would mean to travel for months with her. He did not know her in the slightest. The thought was thrilling and terrifying at once. She is so beautiful, he thought wistfully. What if she is also spoiled and demanding? I have no experience of women. What would I do? He decided to speak privately to his uncle about it at a later time.

  “Tell us about your travels, Lord Ellingham.” Lord Thornberry was saying as he lifted a glass to his lips and took a sip. “I am very interested in hearing about your adventures.”

  Joshua leaned back as the duke began, surprised that he felt such strong interest in the duke of Worcester's stories. This was Juliette's father. He wished to know all he could about her family, and listened intently as he proceeded.

  “It has been a long and exciting time for me,” the duke began. “I inherited a fortune from my father, and then my uncle, when he, too, passed away. I was very young at the time and I determined there were so many people in need of succor and consolation that I could not possibly keep such wealth to myself.”

  “Did you not find your finances drained, despite the greatness of your wealth?”

  “I have not exhausted them yet,” the duke chuckled, and David, who had asked the question, laughed in response. “I planted roots in many different places, starting small missions within Guinea and our territories in Ethiopia.” he sighed “Africa is a beautiful land, with many sights to see. The plains and jungles, the animals, the people. It is a beautiful place.” He looked enraptured as he spoke, and lapsed into silence a while.He looked at Joshua. “Of course you know it well, I think? You have recently returned?”

  Joshua nodded, glancing at his uncle. “Yes, we returned a week ago.”

  “So you know the sights I speak of.”

  “I do.”

  “You also know the dangers that are posed to you,” Neville added.

  “Yes.” Joshua's reply was instant, lips pressed tight together. Of all the things of which he wished to speak, the perils faced in Africa were not one of them. He hoped he did not have to elaborate further.

  “You must know of the climate, too,” Neville added, seeming to sense Joshua's discomfort. “The varying temperatures and climates have always amazed me. It will be scorching in some places and snowing in others! It is not like England,” he chuckled. “There are deserts, to be sure, but there are also many beautiful mountains and rainforests, green fields and flowers. Did you know that in Namib, which is a desert in Africa, there are elephants, giraffes, and lions that have adapted to living in such a climate?”

  “How interesting!” Lord Thornberry seemed to be hanging on every word Neville said. “I have never been anywhere outside Fairbanks.”

  “You haven’t done any traveling at all?” Neville sounded surprised.

  “No, I have never been able to travel.”

  “Well, that would never do. Would you consider traveling to Africa with my daughter? It would be a grand opportunity to see a part of the world that many have not seen.” He smiled.

  Joshua bit back the urge to protest. He felt, strangely, as if the task was supposed to be his, even if he had been reluctant to admit how much he wished to go. The thought of it being offered to another, so carelessly, seared through him like a knife. He looked at his uncle, wishing the man could read his mind. When Cain noted the look on his face, he seemed to sense what Joshua was thinking.

  “I don’t think there needs to be much question of who will accompany the Lady Juliette,” he said evenly. “I am certain my nephew would be delighted to take the task as his own,” he said quickly. Joshua could have kissed him.

  Lord Thornberry laughed. “I cannot travel now any more than I could before, your grace!” he smiled. “I still have a wife, and four children now, who rather keep me occupied in Fairbanks.”

  “I can imagine they would hate to part from you, and you from them,” Neville responded wistfully, and Joshua realized he must have hated leaving his wife and children.

  Lord Thornberry nodded. “Yes. I love my wife and children.”

  “It is an enviable position, Lord Thornberry,” Cain said. “I have never had a family of my own, no wife or children. But I have long-considered my nephew here as my own son.”

  Joshua nodded. “Yes, you have, Uncle. And I am very grateful for your generosity of spirit.”

  Cain slapped one hand on Joshua’s shoulder. “No need to thank me, you rascal! You have grown into a fine young man. I am proud of you.”

  Joshua smiled.

  “You said you have just returned from Africa yourselves?” David Thornberry asked Joshua, finishing off his drink and signaling for another to be brought to him.

  “Yes,” he replied. He would have said more, but before he had the chance his uncle, ebullient after a glass of mulled ale, interrupted.

  “We were there a week ago! We found ourselves in a spot of trouble, were lost several times and we were attacked by animals that did not like our presence in their territory.”

  “Oh no!” David shook his head. “That sounds horrific! What happened?”

  “We were in a small village awaiting transportation to the port. We were planning to travel back here the next day. We were able to save some of the children whose parents were killed by lions.”

  “Lions?” David looked shocked. “They attacked the village?”

  “I do not know what caused the attack, but they were very upset that we were there,” Cain chuckled.

  “Surely they were not angry abou
t the presence of two straight-laced missionaries in the village? I am sure you did nothing to provoke such a response.” David said primly, though his eyes twinkled.

  Cain smiled weakly. “Perhaps we gave offense. I have lost my ability to speak in fluent Lion.”

  The men all laughed, and continued talking about Africa, but Joshua’s mind insisted on revisiting the trip he might take to keep Lady Juliette safe. He found himself becoming anxious as the dangers were discussed. The thought of her facing such things, even with him to accompany her, was terrifying. He fidgeted in his seat, taking a deep drink of his ale. He sat back, picturing different scenarios in his mind, and worrying how he might face them. When someone interrupted him with a question, he smiled, realizing how deep in thought he was and how committed he already must be to this venture. He was definitely going.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  TRAVELING COMPANION

  TRAVELING COMPANION

  Neville stepped out of the carriage at home, feeling drained and weary, pleased to finally return home to his daughter's easy company. His day had been tiring, and he had left the Ramsgate Inn only after arranging to meet the captain who would be commanding the ship to Africa. All was proceeding according to plan on that regard it seemed, and, following his discussion with the Cain Hershey, duke of Ascott, he was fairly certain he knew who would accompany his daughter. He walked wearily up the stairs to the front door, feeling content with the day's work.

  He walked in the door and handed his hat and jacket to Barnaby, his manservant. “Where is my daughter, Barnaby?” he asked.

  “The young miss is in the upstairs parlor, having a late tea, your grace,” was the answer.

  “Thank you.”

  He opened the door of the parlor to see Juliette sitting on a chaise lounge by the great window. She had her legs pulled up to the side and was leaning on one elbow, reading a book and eating from a bowl of grapes. She looked up and smiled.

  “Father, hello. How was your day?”

  “It was most successful, my dear. And yours?”

  Juliette laughed. “All I’ve done is what you see me doing. Eating and reading. It has been very unsuccessful for me.”

  “Devoting time to simple pleasures is not necessarily wasting time, my dear,” her father demurred. “Soon you will be busy traveling and may not have such time. You know how taxing traveling can be.”

  “Yes.” Juliette swung her legs around and sat up. She set the grapes to the side and closed her book, looking up at her father. “Would you like to take a walk with me through the garden, Father?”

  Neville smiled at her. “That would be nice.”

  Juliette slid her small feet into her shoes, a pair of yellow slippers with embroidery along the sides. She stood and took her father’s arm, sliding her hand through the crook of his elbow. They walked through the doorway together, with him letting her go slightly ahead.

  “I am so excited about the trip, Father!” she said when they were out in the garden together. She whirled to face him, hands clasped. She had been thinking about it so much, she felt like she had already been there. Now that the trip was approaching – only five more weeks! – she found that she could hardly contain her excitement.

  “I am glad you are excited, Daughter,” he said, chuckling. “I have completed the last plans today.”

  “Has my escort been decided on?” she asked, biting her lip. That was the question that had been occupying her mind since the dinner at Worthington last week. She almost hesitated to ask, fearing for the outcome.

  “I do have a feeling it will be Lord Hershey. The younger one, of course. And you must decide which maid you want to take with you.”

  Juliette felt as if she had just walked straight into the bay window in the study – her whole world stopped.

  “Lord Hershey?”

  “Yes, Daughter,” her father said patiently. “That is what I said.”

  “Uh...” Juliette cleared her throat. She did not want to betray her excitement, but it was rising in her like a tide, a mix of elation and terror that tingled in her toes. “That is good,” she said, non-committal.

  “That is good,” her father said encouragingly. Now, whom shall you choose for a maidservant?”

  “Betts,” Juliette said at once. “She is the only maid who tends me daily. Of course I will choose her!”

  “She will be excited to know she is traveling with you.” Neville was pleased with the decision. He liked Betty, whom his daughter had always called “Betts”. She was just ten years older than Juliette and in good health. She was a single woman and highly intelligent. She was strong, taller than Juliette and a force to be reckoned with if she was crossed. He had no doubt that she would defend his daughter to the death if need be.

  “I am excited, too! It is very exciting.”

  “How do you feel about having Lord Hershey as your escort?” her father asked gently.

  Juliette bit her lip, not wanting to betray how she felt. Her father would surely disapprove of her unseemly delight. They had just stepped onto the garden path, winding between the beautiful plants and flowers the gardeners had sown, a tapestry of colour.

  “The colors in this garden are always brightest this time of year,” she said carefully, seeking to change the subject.

  “Yes it is beautiful,” her father agreed. “But what of Lord Hershey? If you do not wish him as your escort, we shall find someone else.” He sounded worried, and Juliette drew in a breath.

  “Oh, no, father,” she said quickly, then paused, gathering her thoughts. “I would not mind getting to know him better, Father,” she admitted. “He seems a fine gentleman, and from what Lady Elizabeth said, he is also a missionary, like ourselves.”

  “Yes, he and his uncle are well-known for what they do,” her father agreed slowly. “It is a grand coincidence that they just returned from Africa. He seems most suitable to accompany you. A great coincidence, indeed.”

  “What kind of man do you see in him, Father?” Juliette asked, hoping she would not sound too interested. “I really had no opportunity to speak with him.” She looked away across the garden, twisting a strand of hair between finger and thumb, then turned back to her father.

  Her father stroked his chin as he thought. “He seemed a good man,” he said after a long moment. “he is quiet, so it's difficult to tell. Shall I invite Lord Hershey and his uncle for dinner to discuss the voyage? You can speak with him then.”

  “It would probably be a good idea,” Juliette said cautiously, hoping there was no tremor in her voice.

  “I will send a messenger to Lord Hershey this evening. I am sure he will be delighted to come for dinner. Shall we say in three days?”

  “Thank you, Father,” Juliette said levelly. “I will speak to him then. Have you heard from the duke of Fairbanks with a list of possible candidates? Or should we let the Earl have the position?”

  Neville looked down at his beautiful daughter. He felt a twist in his chest in the exact position where his heart was beating. He sensed somehow that she was set on the duke, the way he felt set when he first met Lydia. He loved his daughter more than life, and was astounded by how much she looked like her own mother at that age.

  “I will leave the decision up to you,” he said, sighing. “You will be in the company of whomever you have chosen for a full four months!I think you ought to choose.”

  “Thank you, Father! You are most thoughtful.” Juliette smiled up at him.

  He chuckled and the two of them embraced in the filtered light of evening.

  “Father, I know you wish for me to be married soon,” Juliette said as they walked back to the house arm-in-arm, broaching a topic she liked to avoid, “and I do hope that I am not disappointing you by not having found a proper suitor.”

  “There have been a few missed opportunities for you, my dear, that I would have encouraged. But I know that you will find the right man for you soon.” He patted her hair.

  “Thank you for being patient,” she
said in a small voice, and squinted up at his smiling face.

  Neville shook his head. “We are not in desperate need of anything, so you should have a chance to make a decision for yourself. There are many young ladies who are not given that chance, who are forced into a marriage they did not wish for. I wish for you to have a happy life, not one filled with strife because of the bad behavior of the husband I chose for you.”

  “That is a great relief.” Juliette giggled.

  “And you never know,” Neville said, eyes twinkling with mischief, “you may find a husband on your mission, and settle down in some distant land. Whatever would I do then?”

  Juliette laughed aloud that time and threw her arms around her father in a tight hug. “Oh Father, I would never do that! I will always return to my home here in Fairbanks. I do not wish to be anywhere else! Traveling to another country is one thing, but settling there is another. I am not interested in leaving England behind. I adore it here.”

  Neville returned his daughter's embrace, smiling warmly. “I do not wish you to feel obligated to me,” he said carefully, when they stepped apart. “I am not an old man. There is plenty of life left in me and I plan to continue traveling on my missionary trips. I will not need you to care for me until I am very old and gray.”

  Juliette swallowed the lump that had appeared in her throat.

  “Maybe not even then, Father,” she said stoutly. “You are strong and healthy. You do not need help. The only thing you need me for is to say ‘I love you’ every day so you know it.”

  Neville smiled, though his eyes were sad. “Thank you, my dear. So may I assume that you are considering Lord Hershey over other candidates that might be proposed?”

  “He shall be given special favor, yes, Father,” Juliette said archly. “If another man was chosen, there would have to be something extremely special about him. I would have to fall in love with him instantly! I do not believe that is something that is likely to happen.”

  Her father roared with laughter. “Trust you to say it so matter-of-factly, my dear Juliette! You have a good head on your shoulders, and I cannot see you falling for a man so quickly, like some girls on the ton who seemingly fall for any man who shows them the right amount of attention.”