by Abby Ayles
“I love you, Stephen Colbourn, Duke of Cardinal.”
“And I love you, my Lady Annabelle Cartwright.”
The Extended Epilogue
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Chapter 1
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to go,” Lady Louisa said to her mother across the breakfast table. “I would worry about you, Mother.”
In Lady Gilchrist’s hand was a letter from a relative of whom Lady Louisa had not heard more than a handful of words spoken.
“I agree that it is regrettable that Aunt Sarah’s husband has died, but I don’t see how my attending to her can help. After all, does she not have children of her own?” Lady Louisa continued pushing aside the toast and marmalade set before her.
“She does have two daughters. They are not much younger than you. I know that you will not have to do much to help them, but it would be nice if you went anyway.”
Lady Gilchrist was looking much better now, though the year anniversary of her own husband’s death had been a hard hurdle for her to overcome. She scarcely believed that she would have done as well without the constant companionship of her daughter. Lady Louisa always seemed to be a calm mind amid turmoil.
“I am surprised at all that Aunt Sarah wrote and told you,” Lady Louisa said taking a sip of her hot chocolate.
“As am I. In fact, I cannot remember the last time either one of us spoke to the other. I find it to be a hand of goodwill and I think it would be only right for me to give one in return. Sarah is not as well off as us,” Lady Gilchrist continued. “It would do well for her to have the added help. It also might be nice for you,” she finished with an arch of her blonde brow.
“In what way?” Lady Louisa responded with skepticism.
She wasn’t sure how leaving town, her only home really, to stay with relations she barely even knew about would be to her benefit.
“Well, for starters, you only know our circles here in London. It might be nice for you to see prospects on a broader horizon.”
“Prospects? Mother, I am twenty-six almost twenty-seven years old. I believe the time of prospects is over for me,” Lady Louisa said in honesty.
“I don’t think that is true,” Lady Gilchrist countered. “You are in your prime if you ask me. Perhaps this new change of location will give you the courage to stand out. If you would only do that, I know you could find your own happiness.”
“Perhaps,” Lady Louisa said doing her best not to roll her eyes.
Her mother was always encouraging her to step out more and be noticed. Lady Gilchrist loved her daughter dearly and for that reason refused to see that she would be nothing more than a demure wallflower for the whole of her life.
Lady Louisa was not like her brother who was always free with words and off on exciting adventures. It was not her way, nor would it ever be. Though she would have liked to have a romance and family of her own, she had resolved quite some time ago that the chances of that were very slim.
Not only was Lady Louisa quiet and reserved, but she was also quite homely. Perhaps it didn’t help that her best friend Isabella, the Duchess of Wintercrest, was just about the most eye-catching creature in the whole of the ton both in looks and personality.
In truth, Lady Louisa was a bit curious to know more of this family that she had otherwise never heard much about. She knew that some rift had occurred between her mother and aunt but nothing beyond that. Her aunt's house was, in fact, not very far from their own country seat.
“If I am to go,” Lady Louisa said timidly, “I would like to know what caused the hostility between you two? I would hate to make a situation worse.”
“I highly doubt you could do such a thing. You always seem to be the pillar that all the rest of us looked to. You have such a calming steading force about you,” Lady Gilchrist complemented.
She was hoping it would distract her daughter from the question at hand. Her rift with her sister seemed very petty now that she was older and somewhat of an embarrassment to have to tell her daughter about it.
When Lady Louisa wouldn’t let the subject go without a straight answer, however, the dowager countess had no choice but to explain it all with an exasperated sigh. “I suppose my sister grew resentful over time.”
“Of what?” Lady Louisa encouraged.
“Well, she was intended to marry your father.” “What?” Lady Louisa let out in exasperated shock.
She couldn’t believe the words her mother was speaking. How had she never heard this before?
“They had never even met each other when the arrangement was made. In fact, I am certain our parents made it from her infancy. Sarah had a bit of a rebellious streak in her youth and was determined against marrying a man she didn’t know all for the sake of our family connections.”
Lady Gilchrist moved her hand to her hair and smoothed back a curl that encircled her face out of habit. It was easy to see this wasn’t a comfortable subject for her.
“Sarah fell in love with Mr. Hendrickson, and they ran away and eloped before my parents could say otherwise.”
“I don’t understand, then why is she upset with you?”
“Well, the reason for their rushed elopement was because your father was to come and acquire his bride that very week. He didn’t know of the events until he and your grandparents arrived on my family’s doorstep.
It was most embarrassing for your Grandfather, my father that is. I fear he never forgave Sarah for that.”
Lady Gilchrist was silent for a moment as her past seemed to flash before her eyes.
“Luckily, the Frasiers were very good friends and understanding of the whole circumstance. Even your father, God rest him, was not very hurt by the slight and insult of it all. They stayed for a time, and the result was our union.”
“I still don’t understand why Aunt Sarah would be angry with you? She had no interest in Father it would seem. Why would she care that you married him in her stead?”
Lady Louisa could see the complication of the events but if anything her own mother should have been the one angry that she was forced to marry the one meant for her sister.
“We married to fulfill the honor of the promise, not because we cared for each other. I am not the first to do such a thing certainly, but I am one of the lucky ones that actually found enjoyment in the arrangement.”
“Your aunt held tight to her principles that she should have been free to choose for herself and not be forced into a union. When she heard of me taking her place, she thought of me as weak. I was marrying a man for the security of his name and fortune, and she married for love.”
“Unfortunately for her, she has lived a very hard life due to her choice. Mr. Hendrick, though a landowner, did not have the means to give Sarah the life she was accustom to. I think over time, and because of her great many hardships, she resented her choice.”
“Our parents also disowned her for her actions,” Lady Gilchrist added at the end. “All that was to be split between us two sisters upon my father’s departure from this world was given in whole to me.”
“I see,” Lady Louisa said.
“I offered to give Sarah at the very least her portion. They certainly needed all of it more than we did
. She would not hear of it. I suppose that was the final nail for her. I had meant it in goodwill, but she took it as an act of gloating.”
“I am not sure how I can help this in any way. I can’t imagine that anything I could say or do would change Aunt Sarah’s heart towards us,” Lady Louisa said searching her own thoughts.
“I am sure you are right in that fact, at least for me.
None the less, it is our duty as Christians to extend the hand of friendship and love to those in their time of need. I know she would never receive me. Our relationship is permanently destroyed, but that doesn’t mean yours has to be with either your aunt or your cousins.”
“So what would you have me do?” Lady Louisa asked.
“Simply be there for your aunt. Help in any way that you see fit. Be a good friend to your cousins. In these ways, you can mend the bond severed between our two families.” Lady Gilchrist paused for a moment before giving a half smile. “If you should happen to find your prospect at the same time, all the better.”
Lady Louisa did roll her eyes this time at her mother’s words. Yes, her mother wanted her to go and create a connection where once it had been and now was lost. But Lady Louisa suspected it was more her mother’s last effort to do duty of seeing her only daughter settled in life.
If only she had the words to tell Lady Gilchrist that such a thing was not just unlikely but surely impossible. She did not possess a great beauty or eloquence in words when it mattered. Yes, in the safety of her home or around close friends she was more open than she would otherwise be. But even in these instances, she would still be considered reserved.
Why Lady Gilchrist thought sending her to a far-off country with relations she didn’t know would make her into that shining light her mother always hoped her to be, she didn’t know. If anything it would have an adverse effect on her ability to be outspoken.
“I suppose it would be the right thing for me to go and at least see if I could ease the blow a bit. After all, I have experienced the loss of a father and can comfort my cousins in that way.”
Lady Gilchrist broke out in a satisfied smile before setting the note aside that had resided in her hand for the whole of their conversation.
“I will write to your aunt today and suggest the arrangement.”
Lady Louisa nodded before turning back to her hot chocolate. She wondered how her mother would fare all alone here. With the Earl of Gilchrist and his wife, Abigail, gone to the Americas, there didn’t seem to be anyone here to keep her company.
Of course, she did have all their friends here as well as London and several societies to keep her busy. Perhaps her mother would scarcely notice her absence. Though the year mark of her father’s death had brought her mother into a deep depression, she had been wise in keeping her hands busy. In that way, the Dowager Countess had overcome the memory of the darkest day in her life.
Lady Louisa reflected on this new-found information on her mother and father. If she had never been told, she was sure to have believed they had married for love. The affection and warmth that seemed to emanate from her memory of her parents never once speaking of an arranged marriage.
Perhaps while she was away with her aunt, she could somehow show that her mother had never meant to slight her sister. Nor had she intended to take away any possession that belonged to Aunt Sarah.
Lady Louisa knew that pride and jealousy were not easy vices to overcome, especially one rooted so deeply for such a long time. Perhaps in her own small ways, though, she could begin to help her aunt see the providence in her elopement and the resulting marriage of Louisa’s parents. For surely all things were done for a purpose. If there was one thing that Lady Louisa was actually good at, it was to see the goodness, the answer amid the darkness.
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The Tales of Haskett’s Manor Preview
Introduction
Miss Antoinette Byrd feels ready to marry. As her friends and cousins find their happily every afters, she dreams of the day her own handsome husband will meet her at the end of the aisle. Finally, her parents, who have been hesitant due to her immaturity and rebelliousness, agree to let her see some suitors.
Antoinette is immediately won over by Duke Alexander Godwin, a man who has it all. He is handsome, incredibly wealthy, a Duke, and one of the bravest, wittiest, most charming men she has ever met. Every minute by his side feels like she is being swept up in a fairytale romance about princes and princesses.
And yet, her parents keep her options open with other suitors. Antoinette is at first unsure why they are not locking down Duke Godwin as soon as possible, but as time goes by she begins to realize that, however dreamy Duke Godwin is, they have very little real chemistry. In fact, of all her suitors, one seems to shine brighter than the rest... But is he the right man for her?
In the midst of Christmas celebrations, the return and near loss of a dear childhood friend, a threat to her family's wealth, and her sister's marriage hitting a seemingly insurmountable hurdle, Antoinette feels pressured to make her choice. And deep down, she knows that the choice she most wants to make is one that would break her parents' hearts. But choosing the wrong suitor would break hers.
Chapter 1
Mary and the Duke of York, Christofer Haskett’s wedding was a sight to behold. The rich scent of early autumn roses, the joyful bridesmaids' dresses, the delectable food, the fine music, and, of course, the handsome groom and the beautiful bride and they embarked on a journey of self-discovery and family together. It was enough to make Antoinette's heart flutter.
She was proud she had helped her cousin win over a perfect suitor and find joy in marriage. Now, if only she could do the same...
As she danced with yet another very interested young man, she glanced over at her parents who were, as always, paying her no attention whatsoever. How was she supposed to find a husband when her parents would not even narrow down her list of suitors, let alone pick one or two for her to consider? Having an older sister and an older brother, she had known she would probably marry later than others her same age. Her sister was married, her brother was betrothed and away in India on a pilgrimage, and still, the months went by and Antoinette twiddled her thumbs in anticipation. She was beginning to feel a little like a beef joint which had been left over from the night before, sliced and just carelessly left on the table alongside breakfast. When were her parents going to show some real interest in her marriage?
The man in front of her must have been speaking. His lips were moving. She could barely hear what the young man was saying over the noise of her own thoughts. This would not do.
As the pace of the dance changed, and the eligible young men and women traded partners, Antoinette slipped away to where her parents were having an animated discussion with Baron and Baroness Fitzroy—the parents of her childhood friend and current pen-mate Lucy.
Antoinette curtsied. “Good afternoon, Lord Fitzroy, Lady Fitzroy.” They nodded and greeted her back. “Well, mother, what did you think of him?” she asked.
Her mother shook her head a little. “I'm terribly sorry, dear. I have no idea whom you are referring to.”
“The young man I was dancing with, a young Master Garvey,” she elaborated.
“Oh, of the Suffolk Garveys? How was he? Was he nice?” her mother continued in a friendly tone of voice.
Antoinette felt herself internally scream, but pressed her lips together and smiled politely to not offend the company. “I am not sure. I would very much like your guidance, perhaps your opinion.”
“You just dance away, my dear, you are still young. If any young man takes your fancy we can meet his parents later,” her father added in a tone of voice which suggested he thought he was being helpful. He wasn’t.
Antoinette nodded. “Of course, father.” She curtsied again and walked up to where the couples were dancing, quietly waiting on the sidelines for an eligible man to as
k her to dance with him.
This was ridiculous. There had to be thirty, maybe even forty, single young men dancing. Not to mention the few dozen standing and observing. Considering many were friends of Duke Haskett's, there was a rich selection of handsome, wealthy, high-status men, all of whom would make excellent husbands to someone. So how would she know who would make the most excellent husband for her?
She sighed and looked at the standing crowd, neck craned up, smiling faintly as she attempted to make eye contact with someone, anyone, who wished to dance. She did not know the faintest thing about marriage, or how one went about pairing a couple. And yet her parents seemed to be casting her out to find her own husband, not taking much interest in the whole affair. She wished they would just pick a man who would fit her well, allow them to court, and then—should all go to plan—she could be married in a few months as Mary was.
Mary, the great sceptic who had been scared her chosen suitor would not be appropriate for her or meet her needs. Mary, the just-married bride, dancing with said suitor right now. If even someone who had been as nervous as her cousin could happily marry this way, Antoinette felt she would enjoy fantastic success.
Finally, her eyes locked with those of a tall man with chocolate brown hair and shining, sky-blue eyes. He smiled a knowing smile and weaved his way through the crowd to where she was. Antoinette felt a sense of relief, and slight excitement, as the dance ended and he extended his hand to her.
“May I have this dance?” he asked, bowing slightly.
“You may,” she replied, placing her hand in his and half-curtsying.
As they walked out to the sound of the next dance beginning, Antoinette resolved to make the most of her situation. If her parents truly weren't going to show any initiative, then it was up to her to learn some names and vet the candidates. Hopefully if she could talk to her parents tomorrow with a few specific men in mind, the whole process could begin.