by Abby Ayles
* * *
“So good to see you again, Your Grace,” Lord Grebs said, clapping Raven on the back in a friendly way. “I have fantastic news I was just hoping I could share with you tonight,” he continued.
* * *
Raven did his best to listen to the earl and seemed interested in the conversation but all the while he was looking for an opportunity to speak with Lady Alexandra.
* * *
Though he always kept her in his view as the earl and he discussed the indigenous animals of the Indies, more specifically how the Asian elephant differentiated from the African elephant, he kept a close watch of the lady.
* * *
He was satisfied to know that she did the same for him. Of course, she tried to play it off as if she didn’t notice his presence there at all tonight. First, she sat next to Lady Sophia, who was shockingly sulky this evening, to review some lessons from earlier that morning. He could tell as every time his eyes studied her, she rosied up in the cheeks. That meant she was just as aware of him as he was of her.
* * *
After going over Lady Sophia’s work, she came to sit by the sister who had walked down the stairs with her: Lady Josephine. They talked quietly with each other. Raven had never considered Lady Alexandra to be close to any of her sisters as she always seemed to take on the brunt of the labor, leaving them separate from herself.
* * *
He saw tonight that this wasn’t entirely accurate. He was glad that she at least had some moments of ease with her next eldest sister. It gave him another sinking feeling, however.
* * *
Lady Alexandra had talked to him about how she had never left the city of London and how she longed to see the world outside of it. He had always assumed if the chance arose, she would leave this city behind.
* * *
For the first time, he realized that her hesitation in leaving might not just be a monetary issue. Perhaps she didn’t like the idea of leaving her sisters, or even her father. Even worse, maybe she was more like her father who chose to do his exploring from the seat of his library.
* * *
He had never considered Lady Alexandra to be like her father, shutting herself away and seeing the world through books. In fact, one of the traits that had drawn Raven to Lady Alexandra in the first place was their shared passion for tenacity and exploration. He was sure that she would have the gumption necessary to see everything the earth had to offer by his side.
* * *
He knew this too would need to be addressed tonight before he was ready to make his intentions known to the lady. Much to his satisfaction as they were called to dinner, he was seated at the head of the table with the earl on his right and his eldest daughter on his left.
* * *
He could see that no expenses were spared on the evening's meal. He felted honored for such a treatment from a family he was sure had little to spare.
* * *
“This all looks wonderful,” Raven finally said to Lady Alexandra. “You must tell your cook that she has done a stupendous job tonight.”
* * *
“I can assure you, Your Grace, she will be thrilled to hear that you think so. I know she was fretting yesterday and today that her cooking would be up to your standards.”
* * *
“Well, I don’t know that I have very high standards, to be honest,” Raven said, lowering his voice just slightly to keep the conversation more private. “In fact, I would have to say my favorite meal is something the cook on my Virginia plantation makes. I believe she calls it a corn pudding. It is very much like porridge here,” he added with a smile. “Something about the way Mrs. Mckenzie makes it, however,” he added, with the memory fresh in his eyes. “It’s just fabulous. She teases me relentlessly. Said it wasn’t a proper dish to give a fine gentleman, but I liked it all the same,” he added with a shrug.
* * *
“Well, perhaps I won’t tell the cook that little truth, or she might think your compliments are not as authentic,” Lady Alexandra said with a smile.
* * *
Raven relaxed in his a little in his seat to see the lady jest with him.
* * *
“I have something I want to say to you, Your Grace,” Lady Alexandra said, suddenly going very serious.
* * *
Perhaps she too was waiting for a moment that they could talk privately as well. Raven’s heart caught in his throat at the notion.
* * *
“You can speak with me about anything,” Raven said with complete honesty.
* * *
“It’s about the other night. At Lord Eagleton’s house,” she gave out a long sigh as she prepared herself before her eyes darted around the table.
* * *
Once she was sure that none of the other family members were listening in, she continued on.
* * *
“I know that sometimes my sisters don’t always act appropriately. I want you to know that I have made every effort to see that they are educated as proper young ladies, even with the absence of a governess. Sometimes my younger sisters can get, shall we say, a little over excited and forget themselves. I hope you will forgive them if they caused any situations that might have made you feel uncomfortable.”
* * *
Raven stared at Lady Alexandra for a few seconds after she finished her small speech, clearly practiced. Her eyes were big pools of chocolate pleading for forgiveness. Forgiveness for an offense he had never felt. Yes, Lady Sophia had been a bit coarse that night and, if truth be told, a little forward, but still he had found no offense in her actions.
* * *
In fact, Raven had feared that Lady Alexandra was going to declare she knew his intentions this night and would wish that he remove himself from her presence for all eternity. With such a different declaration from the lady, Raven couldn’t help but chuckle at the notions flying through his head.
* * *
Unable to keep the merriment in, his soft chuckle roared with the laughter of relief. It caught the attention of the rest of the part who were at present discussing something that Lord Grebs had read recently in the daily paper.
* * *
“I’m sorry,” he said quickly when he realized his laughter had turned his companion white as a sheet with dread. She must have taken it the wrong way.
* * *
“I promise you I felt no offense at all,” he said quickly as he tried to control his merriment.
* * *
“Then what is so funny?” she asked, a little upset that he was laughing at her.
* * *
“I just thought you were going to say an entirely different thing. I am rather relieved is all,” Raven explained.
* * *
“What has got you two rolling with laughter?” Lord Grebs asked, having stopped his own conversation with the rest of the sisters.
* * *
All eyes were looking at the two with anticipation.
* * *
“Lady Alexandra was just telling me a joke she heard,” Raven said quickly to try and alleviate any questioning.
* * *
“Really?” her father said raising a brow at Lady Alexandra
* * *
No doubt, he didn’t find his eldest daughter the joking type. It just happened to be the first thing to fall out of Raven’s mouth.
* * *
“Well, let us all hear it then,” Lord Grebs encouraged.
* * *
Raven looked over at Lady Alexandra. He had no joke to give. The lady simply raised one of her eyebrows in response as if to say he got himself in this situation and now he would have to get back out of it.
* * *
“It was a trifle thing,” Raven said quickly. “But as I have all of your attention for the moment, I wonder if I might extend an invitation.,”
* * *
“Of course, “ Lord Grebs said, already forgetting the prospect of a joke.
* *
*
“You have all been so kind and welcoming to me. My family has a small estate just on the outskirts of London. I am gathering a small party together to join me there. The land has a nice open field area which is particularly fine for picnicking. I thought it might be a nice reprisal just before the banquet, if we could all get away from the city, the pressure, and enjoy an afternoon.”
* * *
“That sounds marvelous. I heartily accept, Your Grace,” Lord Grebs said, his face splitting in a smile from cheek to cheek.
* * *
“How soon before the banquet?” Lady Alexandra asked Raven in a softer tone.
* * *
“Two days prior. Is that too soon? I don’t want to put more of a burden on you, but I do think you will find that getting away for the afternoon most invigorating.”
* * *
“It is rather soon,” Lady Alexandra said with honesty and hesitation. “But my father does seem very sure that it will be possible, and my sister’s are already so excited,” she added, looking around the table bubbling with anticipation. “I wouldn’t dare deny them that fun.”
* * *
“And you will be there as well,” Rave said, narrowing his eyes on the lady. “I will move it to another time if you don’t think you can come.”
* * *
Lady Alexandra blushed and looked away.
* * *
“I am sure that you would rather have the company of my father,” she said softly.
* * *
“I do enjoy his company, that is true,” Raven said. He wanted to make his intentions clear. “But it is you, Lady Alexandra, that I hope to get to know better.”
* * *
She didn’t answer or meet his gaze. Instead, she pushed the remainder of her course around on her plate as she pondered his words. He didn’t want to pressure her to say something just yet. At least not like this, in front of her whole family. Raven just wanted to be sure that she knew he had his intentions on her.
* * *
“Plus, my Aunt Rebecca is most anxious to meet you as well,” Raven added quickly to alleviate the tension building.
* * *
“She is?” Lady Alexandra asked cocking that one brown eyebrow. It was a adorable quirk she had when she was disbelieving.
* * *
“Yes, I have told her a lot about you. I told you as well, I think you are both much alike. She is ambitious and hard-working, just as you are. I have great admirations for all the things she accomplished in her life, and not to mention doing so while dealing with me as a child,” he added with a half smile.
* * *
“I am sure you were princely as a child.”
* * *
He gave a soft chuckle.
* * *
“Well, I haven’t stayed in one spot long as an adult, so that might give you some idea of how I was as a child.”
* * *
“True. I am sure you were very vexing. Perhaps your right,” Lady Alexandra said with a pondering look. “I am sure your aunt and I will have much to discuss. How you harassed her in your youth and how you now like to harass me.”
* * *
“Harass you?” Raven said with a wide smile. He knew she was teasing and was rather enjoying the relaxed conversation. “I can’t imagine why you would say such a thing. I have been exercising great care in not teasing you tonight. In fact, I haven’t even asked if you have taken any porcupines for a stroll recently.” Raven concluded.
* * *
“Oh,” Lady Alexandra exclaimed, though her face shone brightly with laughter. “You are a rotten man! I will agree to your picnic only so that I may inform your aunt that you must be sent away at once before you can terrorize someone else of far weaker character.”
* * *
“I can promise you one thing, Lady Alexandra. I would not dream of vexing anyone else, besides you,” Raven replied a twinkle in his dark eyes.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The time had flown by it seemed to Lady Alexandra. Before she knew it, the day had arrived to travel the short distance to Raven’s house for an afternoon picnic. The girls in Lady Alexandra's house had spoken of nothing else since the invitation, and Lady Alexandra couldn’t help but get caught up in the excitement.
* * *
It would be the first time any of them left the city. Though the house wasn’t far outside of the city’s parameter, it was outside none the less. The joy that notion brought to Lady Alexandra was unimaginable.
* * *
As the duke had said, the ride was a relatively short one, and after about an hour the busy city streets that rattled their single carriage with its cobblestone roads soon turned into dried dirt with the lift and dips of divots and ruts.
* * *
The air almost seemed fresher once they left the confines of London and Lady Alexandra had to admit that even though this trip was just two short days before the most significant event that could quite possibly determine her future, it was exactly what she needed at that moment.
* * *
Though they weren’t entirely in the countryside, all the girls in Lady Alexandra’s carriage fell silent as they watched the landscape around them. It wasn’t long after they changed their paved road for a dirt one that they found the driver turning onto a private drive.
* * *
Already Lady Alexandra could see the house in the distance. Raven had done little to describe it, but the sight of it took Lady Alexandra’s breath away. It was a two-story stone covered cottage. It looked quaint and absolutely beautiful in her eyes.
* * *
Along the stones, vines clung and crept their way up. A small line of smoke wafted up from the nearest chimney, a red brick contrast to the grey of the stone. She guessed by its location on the side of the house and towards the back half, that the fire was from a kitchen hearth.
* * *
Surrounding the small house was a beautiful well-kept garden with a variety of bushes, flowers and small walking paths to enjoy it all. Behind the house were the most beautiful rolling hills with farmland far in the distance beyond that. Lady Alexandra was sure she could almost hear the sound the nearest hill made as the gentle breeze whispered its way through the soft green grass.
* * *
Instead of entering the house they were greeted outside by a growing party. Lady Alexandra knew they wouldn’t be the only ones attending but had to admit she felt her family to be a little outside the remainder of the group.
* * *
Seated just to the right of the main door was a large white tent with small tables and chairs. Already two servers were making their way around the parties as they arrived, sat, and waited for their host to appear. In Lady Alexandra’s opinion, it was a perfect day to spend the whole of outside.
* * *
Lady Sophia was of a different mind when she saw the tent. She wrinkled her nose in her pouting fashion and commented on how she should like to go inside the house until the picnic was prepared. She wasn’t much for the outdoors.
* * *
Much to Lady Alexandra’s surprise, it was her father that put a stop to Sophia’s pouting with a few words of reprimand. It left all the girls speechless, most notably Lady Sophia herself.
* * *
They entered the tent and were introduced before taking their place among the guests. Lady Alexandra noted the odd coupling of the group. First, there was Lady Rebecca Sinclair, Raven’s aunt. Next to her sat the much older couple Lord and Lady Jocasta.
* * *
Lord Jocasta seemed to pay no attention to anyone in particular and instead allowed his eyes to wander around absentmindedly. In contrast, his wife was in a deep conversation with Lady Rebecca. Sitting on Lady Jocasta’s lap was Miss Whiskers, as Lady Alexandra was informed. Apparently, she was the newest member of Lady Jocasta’s household, and she refused to leave the feline behind for even a day trip.
* * *
Along with Lady Rebecca and the elder
ly couple was Lord and Lady Derber, their oldest son Gregory, the Viscount Melbourne, and their next in age daughter Lady Charlotte. It was Lady Alexandra’s understanding that the Earl of Derber had four children in all.