by Abby Ayles
* * *
Lady Alexandra knew that she was getting grossly behind in her regular household duties, and only had the knowledge that once the banquet was over, she could get back to them and put life back into order for the Woodley household.
* * *
Tonight was the first night that she was actually looking forward to going to a social gathering after a long day of work. She would be attending a private dinner party at Lord and Lady Eagleton’s house.
* * *
Lady Alexandra was looking forward to seeing her dear friend again as she had spoken less than a hand full of words to her since Sir Hamilton’s ball. She had so much stress and anxiety over the upcoming banquet, not to mention the guilt of the duties she was leaving undone, welling up inside of her, it was beginning to cause a physical toll on Alexandra.
* * *
As much as Lady Alexandra would have liked to unburden her mind of these things over the last few weeks, she didn’t feel comfortable doing so, not even to Josephine. It was only with Regina that Lady Alexandra felt comfortable enough to share all of her feelings.
* * *
Lady Alexandra was walking with a spring in her step, after changing for the evening, to the carriage waiting outside. Her sisters were not far behind. Tonight was just what she would be needing to rejuvenate herself to get through the final stretch of preparations.
* * *
For the most part, the excitement level was low for the rest of the Woodley girls. Even Sophia would be attending tonight as it was a close friend’s private dinner. In fact, the three younger girls had seen little excitement since the duke’s sudden arrival in their home and expected no different from tonight's meal.
* * *
“Ah, Lady Alexandra Woodley,” Lord Eagleton greeted upon their arrival to their home.
* * *
Already the Eagleton’s drawing room was filled with half a dozen guests with sherries in hand.
* * *
“Good evening, Lord Eagleton,” Lady Alexandra said with a curious tone and a curtsy to their host.
* * *
She knew little about Lord Eagleton beyond what Regina had shared with her. From that information and her few interactions with him, she found him to be a most amiable host, kind husband, and loving father to his two boys.
* * *
“I am so glad you have arrived tonight. Lady Eagleton has been most lonely without your visits these past weeks. She tells me you are very busy with a project of some sort,” Lord Eagleton continued, walking with her towards the direction of his wife.
* * *
Lady Alexandra spotted her dear friend the moment she entered the ornate room recently redecorated in the French style. Lady Eagleton was busy talking to a tall gentleman with his back turned to Lady Alexandra’s approaching party.
* * *
“I have been very busy as of late, but I wouldn’t call it a sort of project. I have been seeing to the needs of my father’s museum.”
* * *
“Really? I’ve been meaning to stop by and call on your father again. I am sure it has been ages since I saw him last. Why does he never leave his house?”
* * *
Lord Eagleton, though probably her father’s age, had never been in similar circles. It was only with the connection made between her and Regina that the Earl of Eagleton even made the acquaintance of him.
* * *
“Sadly his nerves were greatly damaged by my mother’s death. He hasn’t felt in good enough health since then.”
* * *
“Not even enough to join us tonight?” Lord Eagleton said with a hint of doubt.
* * *
In all honestly, Lady Alexandra hadn’t even told her father where they were going for dinner or thought to include him in the invitation. She was so used to him denying any outing that she no longer asked.
* * *
“I suppose that is what leaves you so busy with the museum business this year?”
* * *
“Well, I have been seeing to the needs of the museum for some time,” Lady Alexandra said with a low voice. She feared it was too prideful to announce such information as they came upon Regina and her current company. “This year has just included an added challenge. Don’t get me wrong, one that I am most excited to execute, but very time consuming none the less.”
* * *
“Well, I do hope it won’t keep you away for too long,” Lord Eagleton said, concluding their conversation since they arrived at their target. “Lady Eagleton is quite lonely without you. I fear she has made few friends outside your connection.”
* * *
“I suppose we are very similar in that respect,” Lady Alexandra said, smiling at her friend now having reached their side. “I can assure you I will finish with added tasks at the museum within a fortnight and, hopefully, after this first go at it, the regularity of the task will smooth out the cost of time.”
* * *
“Or at the very least get some help with your tasks,” Lord Eagleton said with concern in his eyes. “It does little good for a lady to be at the helm of a business, especially all alone. Certainly, there must be a gentleman who can see to your father’s work.”
* * *
“I couldn’t agree more, though I am sure that no task, a man’s work or not, would be much of a challenge for Lady Alexandra,” the gentleman said, turning around to face them.
* * *
Lady Alexandra didn’t have to see his face to know it was the Duke of Raven speaking. She looked down, feeling the heat of embarrassment rising to her cheeks. She didn’t want him of all people to hear that conversation. What if he was to take his banquet commission away from her now because he thought her no longer up to the task?
* * *
“Ah, Raven, I thought I heard you earlier but didn’t realize you had arrived,” Eagleton said, slapping the duke on his shoulder with a friendly gesture. “Leave it to you to sneak away with my wife instead of one of the many eligible ladies here tonight.”
* * *
Lady Alexandra snuck a peek at the duke and was surprised to see that he was a little flushed by the comment.
* * *
“I was just getting to know Lady Eagleton a little better. We had barely spoken two words when you came upon us.”
* * *
“If you say, Your Grace. I warn you, however,” he added with a gleam in his eye and a finger to his nose, “with both my sons gone or married I am making your future my personal mission.”
* * *
Eagleton gave Raven a wink and a final pat on the shoulder before turning to greet the next party of guests entering the room.
* * *
She hoped that Raven would also excuse himself, leaving Regina and Alexandra alone to talk, but he apparently had no desire to remove himself from the small party.
* * *
“My dear, it’s been too long,” Regina said taking Alexandra’s hand in hers and squeezing it softly for encouragement.
* * *
“Is it true then? You have been worked to the bone on my account?” Raven said pointing his dark, narrow eyes at her.
* * *
“I wouldn’t say that, no,” Lady Alexandra said, though she couldn’t meet his gaze. “In fact, Your Grace, I am very grateful to you. This banquet will inspire many more uses of the facilities, I am sure of it.”
* * *
“Even so, it isn’t a task that should be taken on by one woman on her own,” Raven said, not listening to her deflection. He wrinkled his brow as he thought.
* * *
Lady Alexandra was sure he was going to remove the commission altogether. She had no idea what she would do in that instance, as she had already spent a good portion of the fee given to her for hiring staff and getting the kitchen in working order.
* * *
“I suppose there is only one thing to do about it,” Raven said with a heavy sigh.
* * *
Both women looked toward the duke, anticipating his next words.
* * *
“I will come to call on you in the morning to see how we can lighten your load.”
* * *
Lady Alexandra’s mouth dropped to the floor for just a second. It was not at all what she expected him to say when he started that sentence.
* * *
“I’m sorry, Your Grace, but I don’t think it would be wise for you to assist in the preparations of a banquet you have employed me, I mean my father’s museum, to plan.”
* * *
“I think it’s a spectacular idea,” Lady Eagleton said clapping her hands together with joy.
* * *
“How could you possibly?” Lady Alexandra said turning on her friend.
* * *
Of all the people in the world, Regina was the only one to know the embarrassment she was dealt at the duke’s hand. Of course, Lady Alexandra hadn’t the moment to tell Lady Eagleton of all the other nefarious deeds the duke had done.
* * *
She needed to explain that the duke tried to seem a courteous gentleman outwardly but had his own motives. Raven was only using her as a type of sideshow entertainment in what would otherwise be considered a dull season spent in London. The duke had made it clear he detested the city when he could be otherwise enjoying the adventures the world had to offer outside its suffocating confines.
* * *
None of this information had been passed to her dear friend, which was sure to change her opinion on the present matter. Even still, the one shameful act at Sir Hamilton's ball should have been enough for her friend to sense that any excuse to bring the two of them together for any amount of time was unwanted on Lady Alexandra’s part.
* * *
“Well, the duke opinions on things such as the menu would matter greatly would it not? I believe he is just as invested in the success of this banquet as you are, though for different reasons naturally. It would only seem fitting.”
* * *
The duke, satisfied with the lady’s explanation, nodded his approval. He was beaming at the notion, and Lady Alexandra could only guess the teasing and merriment he was already planning at her expense.
* * *
Of course, she couldn’t refuse him such an offer. It was, after all, his banquet. Not to mention the fact that he was a duke. He could have any part in just about anything he wanted, with few who could refuse him.
* * *
“But surely you are far too pressed for time. I wouldn’t dream of asking such a thing from you when you would otherwise be occupied with more vital appointments that you no doubt have,” Lady Alexandra said in a ramble of words.
* * *
She was panicking and desperate to find any way to refuse him the chance of torturing her for the foreseeable future, and at that moment she was rambling quite ridiculously.
* * *
“Nonsense. Nothing is more importing than seeing I do this dinner right. I have been a silent figure in the Society these last several years. Though they are grateful for my contributions, that doesn’t mean they are altogether welcoming to my physical presence. This is just the ticket to get in the gentlemen’s good graces again. Something that I am particularly desiring at this time.”
* * *
Lady Alexandra opened her mouth to find another objection, but Lady Eagleton spoke first before she could.
* * *
“And what is it that you are looking forward to from the Society, Your Grace?”
* * *
“An African exposition.”
* * *
“Surely you can and have done that without their support,” Lady Alexandra interjected.
* * *
“True, but this one has significant importance. The Prince Regent has called for increased involvement in the Cape colony of South Africa. He has asked the Zoological Society to send out an expedition of the surrounding areas to find the safest lands for settlements.”
* * *
“How very interesting,” Lady Eagleton encouraged. “And what will your purpose be? Mapping of the area I suppose?”
* * *
“A little of that, yes. Mostly, however, we have been asked to survey the area for wildlife. I am sure you can guess how dangerous the creatures can be,” he added with a charming smile. “It is our job to catalog the creatures that frequent or inhabit the area. We will also be making land treaties with local tribes that might be in the vicinity to produce areas of settlement for the men to come shortly thereafter.”
* * *
“It does seem a rather dangerous task,” Lady Eagleton said with true worry for her new acquaintance. “Surely your aunt can’t be fond of the idea of you going to the wilds of South Africa?”
* * *
“In truth, I haven’t told anyone yet, besides the two of you. I suppose I am just waiting to see if I have enough say with the Society to put my name in the hat for the job. It is highly desirable by many of the Society’s members.”
* * *
“Well, then this will clearly be a good match for the both of you,” Lady Eagleton said, smiling between the duke and Lady Alexandra.
* * *
There was little Alexandra could do at this point to stop the duke from the course he was heading down. She merely smiled as sweetly as she could muster in return.
* * *
She had little doubt by the gleam in Lady Eagleton’s eyes that her dear friend thought she was doing her some grand match making favor by encouraging the continued connection between the two. If Regina only knew the duke’s true intentions as Lady Alexandra did, she was sure her friend would have never helped to encourage such a thing.
Chapter Twenty-One
Raven took his place at Lord Eagleton’s fine table and surveyed the room. He would have rather wished he could have found himself seated closer to Lady Alexandra, but he knew such a thing wouldn’t be possible.
* * *
He was sure from the moment he heard her voice floating towards him that night his entire outlook on the evening had elevated.
* * *
It wasn’t that he had expected it to be a miserable evening. Wither the lady came, as he was hoping she would, or not he knew that the night would be a pleasant reprieve from his engagements thus far.
* * *
First, there was the opera that he was forced to sit through for the sake of a brief conversation with Lord and Lady Derber and their daughter, Lady Charlotte, afterward.
* * *
If the opera itself hadn’t done the job of boring Raven to death, then Lady Charlotte’s lengthy explanation of how much she adored it, with several retellings for example, certainly did. Why the woman insisted on repeating portions of it, and then even translating the opera's French into English, was beyond him.
* * *
Clearly, they all knew the language well enough not to need her guidance as to each dialogue’s meanings. Despite Raven's irritation of the action, it seemed everyone else in their conversation thoroughly enjoyed it.
* * *
No, not enjoyed it, but encouraged it. It was as if Lady Charlotte's parents and his aunt were quite insistent on Lady Charlotte showing him every single one of her exquisite qualities and talents to win Raven over.
* * *
The night had brought him to one single conclusion, however. It would matter little what merits or talents a lady had. He wanted someone he could truly share a life with. Amiable qualities would do little good in a union if they had no common interest in it.
* * *
Raven couldn’t honestly say if Lady Charlotte had a passion for the opera, or French for that matter, as everything she seemed to do was for the simple purpose of exposing all her good qualities and nothing more.
* * *
He considered this more irritating than finding a person who had opposing views than one's own. At least, in that case, one could agree to disagree on the matter. Lady Ch
arlotte didn’t seem to have a genuine desire, opinion, or passion for anything save showing the best front possible to the world.