Unexpected Earl (Hearts and Ever Afters)

by Joyce Alec

  Dawson was longing for the chance to dress Lady Virginia in a dress suited for someone of her status. It had been so exciting when she first came to work for Lady Virginia, all the galas and exquisite balls. It was her duty to keep up with the latest hairstyles and fashion so that her mistress would be the envy of all.

  However, the last six months had proved to be quite boring, and Dawson's plan was to look for other employment. She wanted a vibrant mistress, one like Lady Jane, who would one day be a Marchioness. And for that, she needed Lady Virginia on display so that her skills would be sought after. She felt a little guilty because Lady Virginia was very polite to her and never condescending, as had been her experience in other positions.

  With her mistress dressed, Dawson escorted Lady Virginia to the garden. The landscaping was beautiful, and Ginny immediately felt at ease. Dawson was right; spending some time alone in the garden would do her constitution the world of good. While the sun shone brightly, Lady Virginia shivered as she stepped outside.

  "Dawson, fetch my shawl and a book. I think I'll do some reading."

  Hearing her mother's voice, Ginny kept walking. She just wanted to be alone. It sounded like a silly request, especially as she had spent the last few months effectively a prisoner in her own home, totally self-imposed, she admitted.

  Her need to escape her mother's eye took her around the back of the grand house to where the stables were. She had missed the smell of horses, but it was too upsetting to be near them. It had crushed her soul not to ride.

  A sound caught her attention. It was the sound of a horse in distress, a low guttural sound that Ginny knew required attention. There didn't seem to be anyone around, which she found surprising given the size of the estate. Even in their modest holding, there would be at least one stable boy in view.

  She chose her steps wisely as she made her way closer to where the horse's distress was coming from. Her delicate slippers were getting dirty despite her best efforts.

  "Hello, girl. What's the matter?" she asked this beautiful mare whose eyes were wild and scraped at the ground. Ginny watched as the mare then lay down and got up again. She was in pain.

  Ginny opened her stall door.

  "Girl, where's your pain, old thing? Can I make it better?" Ginny extended her arm for the horse to smell her. But the horse went to bite her.

  "Poor old thing, you don't know me and here I am in your space. Let me get you some help," Ginny stepped backward and, almost slipping, she called for help.

  "Beggin' yer pardon, miss, you shouldn't be 'ere," a stable boy came running and, judging from the cigarette smelling breath, had been otherwise occupied.

  "Get the head groom, this horse has colic and we need to keep her from lying down. Don't just stand there, go…"

  She didn't know why the boy has hesitated, but Ginny had seen these signs before where it didn't end well, as her father had to shoot the horse to put it out of its misery.

  "Lady Virginia, you really shouldn't be here. We'll take it from here. Boy, take Her Ladyship back inside." The voice was sullen and a little put out at Lady Virginia's presence.

  "I am not going anywhere until I see she is okay. Have you seen this before, what is your name?"

  "My name's Jones, your Ladyship, and indeed, I 'ave seen this fret afor. If she doesn't walk it off soon, we'll put her out of her misery. Don't you fret none about her. Everyone has their time."

  "Jones, I have no intention of letting her die. We need to keep her hydrated, even if she doesn't want it. We must keep her on her feet. The twisting will do more harm than good. See if you can make up some concoction that we can flush her system."

  Ginny looked around. No one was moving.

  "Goodness gracious me, have you men ever seen a woman before?" Ginny was exacerbated by their hesitation.

  She was trying to get the horse out of the stall, and while she called out her requests, the stable boy and grooms just looked at Jones, seemingly for his approval. He nodded, and the boy and young men disappeared.

  "Jones, what's in the mixture your boys will make up?" Ginny's father had been a keen horseman, and she was riding before she could walk, her mother used to tell her. She had a natural affinity for horses, and this interest included how to remedy their maladies. Jones' head was still reeling from seeing such a young woman, a visitor to the estate, not caring one jot for her appearance.

  "A little bit of everything, we have laudanum, sulphuric ether, a little bit of belladonna. Lord Collingford will go mad if anything happens to her, she's 'is favorite horse." Jones rubbed the horse’s neck, "Poor Athena."

  Ginny smiled. They would make her better; they just had to do it.

  Athena didn't like the liquid being forced into her and with a swish of her head, knocked poor Ginny down. Some of the men left Athena to tend to the young lady.

  "Thank you, but I can manage on my own. You must get the mixture in, and we'll keep walking her." She took one of the men's hands to help her to her feet.

  "Lady Virginia Croft, what the devil is going on here?" It was James. He was with William Travers, the Marquess of Lynlithglow. But when James saw his horse being harnessed and the men around her, he knew something was wrong. His initial thought was the horse had broken free and knocked Lady Virginia to the ground.

  "Your Lordship, it's Athena, she has the fret, and Her Ladyship was helping us," Jones said hoping his master wasn't about to go ballistic on him.

  "Lynlithglow, help me escort Lady Virginia inside. This is no place for a young lady," James said.

  "No, I'm not going anywhere until I know Athena is over this colic. Please take your hands off me," Ginny glared at James.

  Why was he trying to send her away? Couldn't he see that without her, the horse would be suffering so much more without anyone noticing?

  James, stepped back, alarmed at Lady Virginia's reaction to him. He just wanted to remove her from harm's way. Why was she so stubborn?

  "Lynlithglow, this is Lady Virginia Croft, Jane's cousin," James said.

  "Lady Virginia, I have heard so much about you, and I am delighted to make your acquaintance, whatever the circumstances," William smiled as he looked Ginny up and down. Her dress was covered in mud and dirt.

  William had sandy hair and a cheeky smile. Ginny knew that he was a good match for Jane. He had a glint in his eye, and while she knew he was teasing her, she didn't mind it one bit. James, on the other hand, just riled her up.

  "Collingford, I need to meet my beloved. I will leave you here with…" William glanced at Ginny, who was back walking the horse. James rolled his eyes. Lady Virginia vexed him, and he didn't know why.

  James wouldn't leave and wrestled the reins from Ginny as he took his turn in pacing up and down the stable yard with his horse. Although she wanted to protest, she realized that Athena was his horse, and Ginny needed the rest. She was feeling very fatigued.

  James began to shout questions at Jones about what had they done, and how long she was in pain. Jones told him exactly what had happened and James looked at Virginia who couldn't hear their conversation.

  It seemed for a while their efforts were coming to nothing. Ginny had an opportunity to watch James interact with his horse. She knew horses were a good judge of character, and even she had to admit that when he spoke to Athena, she did seem a little calmer, although this was very short-lived.

  "Lady Virginia, the ball is in a few hours; it is time for you to prepare for it. I'll stay for a while as there is nothing else we can do but wait. I promise to keep you informed of Athena's progress," James said without looking at her.

  Ginny knew he was right. Nothing more could be done. She'd either catch her death if she stayed out much longer or catch an earful from her mother for being so unladylike. With a heavy heart, she stood up to leave, but not before going up to Athena's long face.

  "Be brave, girl. I will see you later." Ginny then turned to James, "You promise to keep me informed?"

  James nodded. He watched Ginny w
alk away, and his heart was doing somersaults. What a woman, he thought to himself. So caring and such devotion to a horse she doesn't even know. If Athena survived the night, it would be due to Ginny. James knew he was in trouble. Lady Virginia Croft had stolen his heart.

  Chapter 5

  Ginny had missed out on the excitement of the guests arriving. This meant that neither Jane, nor her mother, were aware of her disappearance to the stables, although she knew William would tell Jane. Her bedroom commanded a full view of those arriving at the ball, and she saw ornate carriages arrive one after the other. Dawson, meanwhile, had scolded her for ruining her dress and shoes. There was no way they could be cleaned properly.

  "But Dawson, the horse would have died without me," she said as Dawson did her hair.

  "It was good then for you to be outside, Lady Virginia. I saw you talking with the handsome earl," Dawson watched as Ginny's cheeks flushed.

  "I would have done the same for any horse, and to be honest with you, I find the man deplorable. Although, Athena did like him." Ginny's thoughts drifted to when she said goodbye to Athena. She had been so close to James. His presence enveloped her, and she had to admit she had an inkling to feign a faint so he could catch her again. Dawson was prattling on, but something she said caught Ginny's attention.

  "What did you say?"

  "Apparently, Lady Victoria de Vere is telling everyone they are to be married. Although I've heard from one of the other lady's maids that her mistress says Lady Victoria hopes if she says it enough times, the poor earl will be duty bound to ask for her hand in marriage."

  "So he is promised to Lady Victoria? Is she here tonight?"

  "Mais oui, m'lady. She arrived late in the morning. She is quite plain looking, I've heard."

  "Dawson, we mustn't be unkind." Ginny couldn't help smiling.

  A knock at the door signaled Jane's arrival.

  "Gin, William tells me he found you in a very sorry state in the stables. What on earth were you doing out there? Apparently, James told William you probably saved the horse's life. Gin, you really are a strange one. And I have more to tell you, but I promised I wouldn't say." Jane was in an excitable mood.

  "Then you must keep your counsel, dear cousin.” Ginny turned around so her Jane could see her dress. “Will I do? It has been a long time since I dressed up.”

  Ginny was going to be mixing with the upper echelons of society that night, which was a forerunner to the wedding in a few days’ time.

  "Lady Virginia Croft, if I didn't love you so much, I would hate you. I am sure you will upstage me, and I am the guest of honor. Let's make our entrance," Jane said as she and Ginny left to join the ball.

  Ginny's senses were immediately overwhelmed by the music playing in the background, and from the top of the stairway, she saw masses of people. She knew she would have met some of them before during her first Season, but she wasn’t ready to meet potential suitors quite yet. Her heart was beating so fast; she was sure she would fall away in a faint. So many people in such a confined space, and soon her fears increased as Jane introduced her to some people. She seemed to have forgotten the art of small talk.

  A young gentleman asked her to dance, and Ginny welcomed the opportunity to glide across the floor. She loved to dance and hoped she hadn't forgotten any steps to the minuet that played. The young man was much less taxing as he didn't make any conversation. The music stopped, and she thanked him for the dance.

  "May I have the pleasure, Lady Virginia?" It was James, offering his arm.

  Ginny was taken off guard. He was very handsome in his dress clothes, and he had her in his arms before she even agreed.

  "Jones thinks Athena will survive the night. He said another few hours will make the difference. Thank you for bringing her to his attention. With so many arrivals for this ball, the men were preparing for the influx of horses, and as Athena doesn't like a lot of noise, they put her in the quietest part of the stables. They weren't neglecting her. I just wanted you to know that. All the men in the stable must love horses to work here."

  "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. T
he 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.