by Joyce Alec
“I could see that. I was fortunate to be in the right place,” she gasped as James spun her around, and she felt his powerful hand hold her tightly in the back. Ginny closed her eyes, and she imagined they were floating above the ground and running away to live a quiet life with just their horses.
With the mix of her fears, the music, and being spun around, Ginny felt light-headed.
“I'm not feeling very….”
Ginny swooned, and James whisked her up in his arms as he swiftly moved through the crowds to the little anteroom that was off the main ballroom. She was the envy of every young woman at that ball, apart from Jane.
“Doctor Parsons should be here. Ask him to come by and to bring his bag. And get the dowager countess,” James directed the staff as he used a pamphlet as a fan.
Lady Jane arrived in a flurry.
“Gin, James, what happened? I saw the two of you dancing. Everyone's eyes were on you both. You looked so handsome together. Then you swept Gin off her feet.”
Jane knelt beside her cousin. The doctor arrived and waved smelling salts under her nose. Ginny wrinkled her nose and spluttered as her eyelids fluttered, and she opened her eyes and saw Jane smiling at her.
“Oh, Jane, it was wonderful. I was floating on air and…” Ginny's cheeks flushed as she expanded her view to see James and the doctor with concerned faces looking upon her. She sat up, suddenly concerned by what she had said.
“Please forgive me, if I can just sit here a while,” Ginny wasn't even sure of what she was saying.
“You stay as long as you like. Your mother should be here shortly. I will have some tea and sandwiches sent to you,” James said as he realized she probably hadn’t eaten all day.
As if on cue, Ginny's mother arrived, flustered and concerned about Ginny's wellbeing.
“We shall leave you alone,” James directed everyone out.
Jane mouthed, “Goodbye.” She had guests to attend to.
“Virginia, you and the earl caused quite the stir, I can tell you. Everyone was asking who you were. Imagine it; you could one day be duchess here.”
“Mama, stop it. The earl is tolerable, but I am not looking for marriage,” Ginny said quite sharply, but part of her enjoyed being noticed.
However, her words had been heard by James who had just stood outside the door, and he felt a pang in his heart that the woman he loved only found him tolerable. Just as he was about to retire to his room, figuring he had caused enough speculation for one night, the Marchioness of Dorford stepped into his path with his mother by her side.
“My lord, Lady Victoria is expecting you to ask her to dance. A gentleman does not disappoint,” Lady Dorford smiled at him as James' eyes fell on Lady Victoria de Vere. She was plain with a pointed nose, and he had heard ghastly stories about how she treated staff. He had never witnessed her behavior himself, and while not one to indulge in gossip, felt there had to be some credence to the rumors.
“Come along, James, ask Lady Victoria to dance?” his mother said.
“Certainly, Mama, Your Ladyship. Lady Victoria, would you…”
“I'd be delighted,” Lady Victoria stretched out her sweaty hand and grabbed his hand rather tightly. James gritted his teeth. There was nothing regal about Lady Victoria. She was able to dance, but not like Ginny. James couldn't help but make comparisons.
Ginny watched from the anteroom, and she felt her heart become heavy as she watched him dance with another woman.
“He is not enjoying himself, I can tell you, Virginia. When the two of you danced, it was like magic. But a man like him marries for status, not love. I know I allowed myself a moment to imagine you marrying him, but the reality, he will likely marry someone more like her. Let me take you to your room where you can rest.”
Dawson helped Ginny get ready for bed.
“Oh m’lady, you were the envy of all. I was so proud to be your lady's maid. If only you could have seen how well you and his Lordship looked together. It was magnifique. The other young ladies were jealous, even Lady Victoria. I heard that she is trying to make him propose during her visit here. She is staying here for the wedding.”
Ginny didn't understand why that upset her, but it did. She dismissed Dawson and pulled the covers over her head, but something was bothering her. She still had to know if Athena was okay. Tending to Athena had made Ginny forget about what happened in the past. She hadn't been sad at all. Perhaps knowing Athena was recovering would help her sleep. Slipping on her dressing gown, she made her way down the back stairs the servants used. No one said a word to her until she met Lennox, the butler.
“Your Ladyship has no need to be here. Let me get your girl.”
“No, Lennox, please take me to the stables. I want to check on Athena. I will not go to bed until I know she is well,” she said.
“Very well, my lady. Mr. Bowen, kindly escort Lady Virginia to the stables to inquire of the horse and then bring her back inside.”
Mr. Bowen gave Ginny a heavy coat to wear and found her some boots the maids would wear so that she wouldn't destroy her slippers. She realized she was being a little selfish. The staff had enough to contend with as it was, but it was too late to change her mind now.
No one was in the yard, which meant that Athena was either cured or taken away to be shot. Ginny approached the stall and saw a light inside.
“Hello, is she okay?” she asked and immediately brightened when she saw Athena looking much happier in her stall. She was eating some hay and looked like she had forgotten about her day.
“Aye, your Ladyship, she's much better,” Jones said and then looked past Ginny.
“Lady Virginia, I thought you were resting,” James asked.
“I couldn't sleep thinking about her. I'll go back inside now. Thank you, Jones, your Lordship,” she put her head to one side as she tried to sidle past James.
“Allow me to escort you back to the house, Lady Virginia.”
She didn't say no, and they were followed by Mr. Bowen.
“I hear congratulations are soon to be in order,” Ginny said, quite unaware of where that came from.
“Pardon me?” James was perplexed.
“Why, you and Lady Victoria de Vere are to be married.”
James stopped her and put his hand to her face to gently stroke it.
“Lady Victoria means nothing to me. Her mother and mine are the best of friends, and naturally they want their children to marry. I have no intention of marrying someone I do not …love. Apologies for being so forward, Lady Virginia. I just wanted you to know that. Mr. Bowen, please escort her Ladyship indoors. I forgot I need to have a word with Jones.”
James was flustered as was Ginny. Was he declaring his love for her? She was so confused. But what had her mother said? “He will have to marry for duty rather than love.” What did she mean by that?
But their unplanned assignation had not gone unnoticed. The Duke of Carvingham had heard about the day's events and their dance, and now he had seen them for himself. He liked Lady Virginia Croft. She was a fine young woman, but her stock was not high enough for a man that would one day be a duke. The duke didn't like what he had to do, but he didn't want James to make a fool of himself. If someone else had seen them together, well, poor Lady Virginia's name would be sullied, and he wasn't going to allow that to happen.
He sent Lennox to bring James to him. He'd have to talk to James that night and put an end to his silliness.
Chapter Six
“You cannot go on like this, James. It is time to make a decision on your future. Remember, your wife must be a match for you. She will be the duchess here some day and therefore, needs to know what is expected of her. Lady Virginia Croft is a fine young woman; I give you that, but she is no match for you,” the duke watched as his grand nephew's shoulders drooped.
“I cannot marry for love. But you were in love, Duke. You know how important it is. I have tried to fight my feelings for Lady Virginia, but you should have seen her with Athena. Ev
en Jones was impressed by how she carried herself. Her concern was for the mare at all times. She didn't use her authority to complain about how she found Athena to me…”
“You have to get her out of your head, James. If not for your sake, then for hers. We cannot have gossip, and if I know these harpies, gossip will be rife. It isn't fair on her character, especially after what she has gone through.”
The duke's words made James curious. What had she endured? He couldn't bear to think of her in any distress. The duke told him about her fiancé’s riding accident. James’s initial reaction was to run to Lady Virginia and take her in his arms, but the duke was right. A lady's reputation was everything. He couldn't deny her a chance of happiness in the future.
“I will consider what you have said. You are a wise man, and I value your advice. I do not like it, but you know that already. Lady Virginia has endured enough. I will keep my distance, but there is no way I am marrying Lady Victoria. I'd rather stay single than have to endure her.”
The duke didn't disagree with him.
“Help me to my room, James. I have to say it was good to see the old place alive tonight.”
As James and the duke walked slowly, they could overhear an altercation between Lady Victoria and her lady's maid.
“Why wasn't my hair done like Lady Virginia's? I brought you from Paris especially to know these new styles. You are completely useless!”
And they heard a slap.
The men didn't make a comment, but each of them knew that Lady Virginia had more class in her little finger than Lady Victoria. The festivities were almost over, and only the very energetic remained on the dance floor.
“See you at breakfast, James. Sleep on what I have said. You are an intelligent young man, and you will do the right thing.”
Breakfast was a busy affair. James had tossed and turned, and while he didn't want to see anyone, let alone Lady Virginia, William convinced him to breakfast with him. The duke sat at the head of the table. Ginny and her mother sat at one side of the duke, while the Marchioness of Dorford and Lady Victoria sat opposite them. Jane and her mother, James, and William made up the rest of the party. Breakfast was a buffet, and as Ginny, Jane and Victoria stood at the serving plates, Victoria began her digs at Ginny. She had noticed how James had avoided looking at Ginny, while making a point of greeting everyone else. Ginny couldn't understand his coldness towards her, but it only served to remind that her initial opinion was correct. He was cold and aloof.
“No fainting this morning, Lady Virginia? That was some performance last evening.”
Ginny blushed, and her hands wobbled.
“Lady Victoria, are you sure you should be eating so much? It's rather an unladylike portion you have there,” Jane jumped to her cousin's defense. Victoria was annoyed and returned to her seat with a scowl.
With everyone seated, Victoria spoke up.
“I was wondering, Lord Collingford, if we could go out riding today, all of us that is.”
“Yes, that can be arranged. Unfortunately, I will be unable to join the group. There is much to do,” James said.
To his surprise, his mother spoke up.
“I think we know that it will not be long before we are having our own celebration.”
“Mama, I do not think this is the time or place…”
James was cut off by Lady Victoria's mother.
“Lord Collingford, you know too many young ladies will want your attention,” she gazed at Ginny who wanted to just run away. “It is time for you to marry. Wouldn't you agree, Lady Virginia? You, of all people, must find it very inappropriate for a man to pretend he is free when in fact, he is promised to another. Young girls must get so confused, misinterpreting kindness for something, shall we say, more.”
Ginny couldn't take any more and excused herself from the table with Jane hot on her heels.
“Goodness, what is the matter with her? She is very sensitive,” Lady Dorford feigned concern.
Ginny’s mother glowered at the woman who had upset her daughter and opened up her mouth to speak, but before a word could come out of her mouth, the duke placed his hand on the dowager countess's and spoke for her,
“Your Ladyship, you should give greater care to the behavior of Lady Victoria rather than comment on others. I will ask you to keep your thoughts to yourself while you are a guest in my home,” he shot a glance at James's mother. “Please remember that you live here at my pleasure, but I am old and quite capable of changing my mind. I will not have any guests upset under my roof unless I am the one causing the upset.”
The table was silent, and one by one the ladies left until just William and the dowager countess remained.
“Now isn't that better?” the duke asked. “It's been a while since I could chastise someone other than Lennox, and he takes no notice.”
“Your Grace, thank you for standing up for Lady Virginia,” the dowager countess said, then excused herself and left the room.
“Your Grace, you really know how to deal with people. I hope to be like you some day. Lady Victoria was apparently saying nasty things about Ginny, I mean, Lady Virginia. Lady Jane was very upset by it.”
Jane was disappointed she had missed the duke's speech. Ginny's mother had arrived and told them what had transpired.
“He likes you, Gin; he wouldn't have said anything otherwise. And I have a secret to tell you. William will forgive me. James has told him that he loves you. How do you feel about him?”
“Last night, I would have said the same, but this morning, he just ignored me. It's so confusing, Jane. I never wanted to feel this way again,” Ginny began to cry. “I didn't want to upset you before your wedding, but I'm not sure I can stay here any longer.”
“It will work itself out; I know it will. But you must stay. For me.”
Jane stroked Ginny's hair. Ginny’s mother entered the room.
“Jane, would you excuse us for a little while? I want to talk to Virginia in private.”
Jane left them alone.
“Mama, last night when you said you knew what I was going through, what did you mean by that?”
“Before I met your father, whom I loved very much, I had a romance. He was a fine young man but destined, like Lord Collingford, to become a duke. His parents made him break it off with me because my father wasn't a wealthy earl for that level of society. The duke knew of it. I just wanted to save you from getting your heart broken. I do not wish for you to stay locked away in your room, but do not let that dreadful woman and her daughter do that to us. Why don't you go for a horse ride? Didn't you feel good being in the stables again?”
“You are right, Mama. I will change and go outside.”
Ginny needed to do right by her cousin, Jane. Jane needed her to stay focused, and that she would do. But before she left the house, Lennox approached her.
“M'lady, His Grace has requested your presence,” he said.
With a heavy heart, the duke gave Ginny the same talk he had given James. She simply wasn't going to cut it as a future duchess. No matter how beautiful and gentle her nature, she didn't have the breeding. Ginny listened as he went on and on about duty and how we have to make decisions that weigh heavy on our hearts, but privilege comes with responsibility.
Ginny agreed with the duke. One's responsibility would outweigh any silliness of the heart. As she walked away, trying not to cry, she returned to her room. She called for Dawson to pack her belongings. She would send them home with her mother. However, Ginny wanted to leave immediately.
“Are you sure, m'lady? The wedding is tomorrow. Should I call on Lady Jane or her Ladyship?”
“No, Dawson, they will try to talk me into staying, and I cannot be here. I realize that Lord Collingford loves me, but this is his home, and I will not have him uncomfortable. Jane will understand. I cannot stay where I am considered not to have the breeding desired to marry at this level.”
“Very well.” Dawson was loyal to Lady Virginia and didn't realize the stre
ngth of their bond until she heard the other lady's maid speak of their mistresses. Dawson, having a received an offer of employment from Lady Victoria that very morning, had decided she couldn't leave Lady Virginia.
She made the arrangements in secret as she was asked. She said Lady Virginia just wanted an excursion, but she wrote a letter to Lady Jane.
Dawson sat with the driver while Lady Virginia was helped into the carriage. Soon they were on their way back to Deyonne, where Ginny would try to forget about what happened.
***
“Your Grace, may I have a word with you?” James stood at the doorway of the duke's study.
“Of course, my boy, come in.”
“Lennox, could you ask my mother to join us?” James asked as he took a seat in front of the duke.
“I'll wait for Mama before I begin.”
The duke was uneasy. James wasn't his usual self. The Countess of Collingford arrived, seemingly upset, complaining she was in the middle of tea with their guests.
“Your Grace, Mama, I have a chosen a bride, and I wanted you to be the first to know.”
His mother beamed with anticipation of hearing the name Lady Victoria, but the duke said nothing.
“I plan on asking Lady Virginia Croft to marry me. That is, if she'll have me.” James turned to Lennox. “You have the smelling salts?”
Lennox administered the smelling salts to the Lady Collingford as she gasped at her son's announcement. The duke stayed silent.
“I understand that becoming a duke has responsibilities, but how am I to do my duty if I cannot have the wife of my choosing? She will make me a better man and therefore, a better duke. I am deciding based on my heart. I doubt there'll be many times when I can let my heart rule my head. I did so in the past, but I cannot let one bad experience make me mistrust myself. I will marry her with or without your blessing.”
“Have you finished, James?” the duke asked.
James nodded at the duke's question, some of his bravado evaporating.
“Finally, I have an heir who is not afraid to stand up for himself. Would I prefer Lady Virginia to come from the ton? Of course. It means consolidating our assets for the future. But you have fought for the woman you love. Now go to her, and I'll talk to your mother.”