Chapter 30
Maxwell returned to Woodley House and stopped the curricle outside. Jumping off of the seat, he handed the reigns to his young tiger who took charge of the horses.
Maxwell ascended to the front door and let himself in. Storming past the butler without muttering so much as a greeting, he rushed to his library and shut the door. He let himself drop into his chair and buried his head in his hands.
Why she was not home? Where could she have been? And why was the jewelers shop closed also? Have they gone away somewhere together? I must return tomorrow to see her. I will return every day if I must. One day she will be there, and I will make her explain.
He got up and paced the room with his hands crossed behind his back when he heard the front door.
“Where is His Grace?” His mother’s shrill voice sounded across the entire floor. He sighed. He could not handle her right now. It was all too much. He’d departed Hawthorne Hall in rather a rush and without letting his mother know. He certainly would pay for this now. He took a deep breath and opened the door.
“Hello, Mother.”
She turned and glared at him. He had certainly set up her bristles.
“How could you have left in such haste? I was forced to create the most elaborate excuse for your sudden departure. Should anyone ask, the house has caught on fire on account of a clumsy scullery maid. You shall have to dismiss one of the maids, of course, for cover should anyone care to investigate.”
Maxwell raised his eyebrows. “I shall do no such thing. I am certain should someone come to take count of our maids, you will come up with a suitable excuse as to why they are all still here. Perhaps display your well-known kindness toward the staff.”
She snarled at the sarcasm. “I will not tolerate that kind of language, not after the headache you have caused. The Cladboroughs were rather put out and Lady Frances is near distraught, thinking the courtship is falling apart without that miserable matchmaker.”
Fury rose within the Duke’s chest, but he took a deep breath to push it away. He did not wish to argue with his mother, his mood was sour enough as it was.
“Mother, I simply felt ill. I cannot stand Cladborough, for he is a brute and insufferable. I have a mind to end the courtship at once unless…”
“You cannot! Just yesterday we were assured by that commoner that an offer was all but imminent. I shall go to her office at once and request back the retainer we paid her for, clearly…”
“You will do no such thing, mother. It is not her fault, but yours and Lord Cladborough’s. You both have suffocated me, along with the Lady Frances, by forcing a courtship and all but demanding an instant wedding. I must take my time. I shall not make an offer until I feel the time is right. And I feel Miss Evans made a mistake departing when she did, as you might agree. If you were to visit her office, it would only be in order to beg her to take up her role again.”
“I shall think not.” His mother shook her head.
“Well, then, there is nothing further to discuss. Now, I am going out.”
His mother gasped. “Out? I have just arrived! I must talk to you further about the issue.”
Maxwell shook his head. “I have business to attend to. Now, Mother. I’m sure there are a great many morning calls you must attend to. Perhaps starting with the Lady Havisham, seeing how she is your closest friend and yet you failed to invite her to the house party.”
His mother’s eyes grew wide and her mouth opened, yet she had no words. She never did when he called her out directly. He did not do it often, as it was disrespectful to do so, but he was beyond caring about social graces and manners.
He had the butler fetch his hat and coat and, once dressed, headed for the door. His mother, meanwhile, made her way up the stairs, without so much as a further glance at him. She was halfway up the stairs when a thought came to him.
“Have the Cladboroughs, Lord Hendley, and his sister returned to London yet?”
She stopped and refused to look at him. “They departed last night. I should imagine they have been back for some time. I would have arrived earlier myself, but I was unable to for there were a great many explanations to be given and parties to be cancelled. As you can imagine.”
“I certainly can, Mother.” He went out the door without another word.
* * *
Maxwell walked to White’s. It was now mid-afternoon, a little early for gatherings at the club, but he didn’t mind. He could not stand the thought of being in a house with his mother. She had a habit of not letting go of a matter until it was resolved to her satisfaction.
As he had expected, the club was not well attended as it was only afternoon, and the middle of the week at that. Some of the Lords were certain to be at Parliament. Though he was not one to be lax about his attendance, he had not felt like going today.
He walked into the card room in the back where he saw Lord Hendley engaged in a game and losing. His friend spotted him, motioning for him to wait. Maxwell sat in a chair in the corner and waited for Hendley to finish his hand. After losing, he threw the cards on the tables.
“My fellow Lords, it was been a pleasure to lose what remains of my dwindling fortune to you, but I must take my leave.” He rose and walked outside, motioning for Maxwell to follow. Together, they took a seat on the back patio of the club.
“Gatterlen, you look utterly dejected. What is the matter? Has Miss Evans turned you down?”
Maxwell had informed his friends before departing Hawthorne Hall, a courtesy that in hindsight he should have afforded to his mother, though he had been in a rush and not in the mood to argue with her.
“I have not seen her yet. I went to her office this morning and did not find her. I waited for quite a while, but she never returned.”
“Did you check with her friend, the jeweler?” Hendley frowned.
Maxwell shook his head. “His shop was closed with a notice he would be out for the day.”
Hendley ordered glass of hot chocolate which made Gatterlen smile. They had indulged in rather a lot of wine and ale this past weekend and he could understand why his friend might have gone off the drink.
“You’ll see her again, later today or perhaps in the morrow. She may have gone to attend to clients, as she said she would. Fret not, if she feels as you do, she will listen.”
Maxwell shook his head. “I do not understand. Why would she simply withdraw from the chaperoning duty? She knew I was not of the mind to make an offer. Why would she say it? And in so public a way?”
His friend shook his head. “I do not know. But it is as though she wanted to force your hand. Perhaps it was her way to make you realize that you must decide?”
Maxwell slammed his cup down. “I had decided! I was done with this blasted courtship. I was ready to tell her so, and she threw a wrench in it all. And now I can’t find her to make her answer!”
Hendley rubbed his chin and thought for a few moments. Then he clapped his hands together.
“Perhaps she has gone to Cladborough’s? She did depart rather in haste, and I happen to know that once her services conclude she likes to do a follow up visit to advise on any open issues. She came to see me and Sophie once she concluded her participation in her courtship.”
Could she have gone to Cladboroughs? It would make sense. According to his mother, they had departed for London late last night, so they would now be well settled in their townhouse. And Miss Evans had rather a fondness for Lady Frances, and as such it would make sense, she would go see her. And find out that I departed immediately after her…
“I shall go and pay them a visit myself. While I am there, I can make my apologies for my sudden departure. My mother was in a huff.”
Hendley laughed, “She was. She put on an elaborate display regarding the supposed fire that broke out at Woodley House. She ranted for quite some time about the difficulty of obtaining proper staff and the need to set an example of the girl who caused the incident.”
Maxwell nodded, “The
Duchess loves to put on a spectacle. Now, old chum, I shall visit the Earl and make an inquiry.”
“I will accompany you, if you do not mind,” Hendley said. “I can assist.”
Maxwell smiled. He already knew that his friend only wanted to come because of his own affections for Lady Frances. But he did not mind. In fact, he had rather a good mind to let the Earl know that Lord Hendley would be a much better match for Lady Frances than himself. However, he could not. It would not be proper. First of all, because he knew that Hendley was not able to provide the lifestyle Lady Frances was used to, and more importantly, he had to speak to Miss Evans first.
He already knew that once the end of the courtship was announced, she would be blamed. As a commoner, it would fall on her. It always fell on the matchmaker if a courtship between two nobles did not work out. The matchmaker had after all been the one to put them together.
Thus, it was always their fault for such was their station in society. The ton never blamed themselves for anything. And why should they? As long as there were paupers and commoners to blame. Maxwell shook his head. Sometimes he hated being part of his own class. The entitlement of many of his brethren made him feel quite ill.
He and Lord Hendley departed from White’s and returned to Woodley House. They did not go inside for neither he nor his friend wanted to encounter his mother.
Instead they had one of the footmen bring the curricle around. Lord Hendley’s eyes grew wide at the sight of it. He enjoyed riding in more adventurous modes of transportation just as much as Maxwell did.
* * *
When he and Hendley arrived at the Earl’s London home, Thuxbury House, the butler opened the door, and upon recognizing Maxwell, gave him the coldest stare.
It was not considered proper for the staff to let their like or dislike of a visitor be known, but it was clear that word of mistreatment of Miss Frances had made the rounds, and he was not a favored guest.
The butler showed him and Hendley into the drawing room where the Countess of Cladborough and Lady Frances were busy with their needlework. Lady Frances smiled as they entered, though Maxwell was not sure if the smile was meant for him or for Hendley. Before he was even able to greet both ladies and state the nature of his call, the Earl joined them.
“Gatterlen, I had not expected to see you quite so soon. I hope everything is all right at Woodley House. Most dreadful news about the fire. Although, I drove by this morning and did not see any evidence of it.”
“Indeed, Lord Cladborough, we were very lucky. One of the maids did not stack the fire properly and the tapestry was aflame. Fortunately, the staff were able to attend to it right away and put it out, causing only damage to the tapestry. They summoned me out of an overabundance of caution.”
He turned to Lady Frances, “I apologize once again for my sudden departure. Had I known how minor the damage was, I would have sent my steward instead.”
“Well I am pleased to hear that the damage was contained.” The Earl indicated for Maxwell and Hendley to sit while he remained standing.
Maxwell noticed glances being exchanged between Lord Hendley and Lady Frances. A small smile on both their faces. There was clearly mutual affection here. He was both happy and sad for his friend, for he knew that it would be near impossible for him to obtain permission to court Lady Frances.
“So Gatterlen, to what do we owe the pleasure? Was it simply to apologize once more? Or have you come with more serious business? I know our dear matchmaker indicated that I should be expecting you soon, with an offer of marriage.”
Lady Frances pretended to continue with her stitching, but he noticed that she glanced at him nervously.
Maxwell cleared his throat “I believe that is a discussion better had between the two of us, in a more intimate setting, after all it is gentlemen’s business.”
The Earl nodded. “Quite right. Perhaps we can meet for a drink at White’s? How about later on tonight?”
Maxwell did not know what to say. He would not meet him, that was for certain, but how to get out of it? It was Lord Hendley who jumped in and saved the day.
“Gatterlen, you cannot tonight. We are due to visit the Earl of Somerset tonight to celebrate news of his betrothal to Lady Eliza.” Maxwell pretended to have forgotten all about the supposed dinner.
“That is right, Hendley. Yes of course. I am sorry, My Lord. Tonight, will not do. Perhaps another night sometime soon. Next week?”
Cladborough crossed his arms in front of his chest and shrugged “I suppose that is acceptable. I take our dear Miss Evans at her word and shall anticipate our meeting.”
Maxwell nodded and turned to Lady Frances. “Speaking of the matchmaker, Lady Frances, have you seen her since her departure from Hawthorne Hall?”
The Lady looked at him with surprise and shook her head. “I have not. Why? Was I to expect her?”
Hendley cleared his throat, saving Maxwell once more. “It is quite customary for the matchmaker to visit with her clients again after ending the involvement in the courtship. When she matched my sister, Lady Sophie, she came to visit us for a final consultation as well as to arrange for payment.”
“I see,” Lady Frances said and picked her stitching back up. “I have not seen her. But we have only returned to London late yesterday, so I shall imagine she will call on us soon.” All the while her mother appeared to not pay any attention to what was going on at all.
Lord Cladborough, however, was all ears. “Well I would imagine that she would not have the audacity to require payment before an offer has been made. I for one, have no intention of paying the lady anything until the date for the wedding has been set.”
Why is this man so desperate to see me wed his daughter so soon?
Maxwell was not experienced in the matter of wedding planning. But having seen several of his fellow Lords wed in recent years, it generally appeared to take several months to plan a wedding, especially one as extravagant as his mother envisioned. Yet, Cladborough seemed to intend for this event to transpire within weeks.
Having satisfied the purpose of his visit, to inquire about Miss Evans whereabouts, Maxwell decided he had to take his leave. If he stayed much longer, or mentioned Miss Evans again, it would certainly draw the family's attention. After all, why should he care what happened to the matchmaker after she excused herself? He quickly made his excuses and beckoned Hendley to depart with him.
Cladborough walked them to the door as they said their goodbyes. The door had hardly closed behind them when Hendley turned to him.
“By Jove, Gatterlan, when you break off the courtship, I shall ask Lord Cladborough to give me a chance. I cannot help but want to court Lady Frances. She is such a beauty, she is such a kind soul, and I must make her my wife. I must at least try.”
Maxwell slapped his friend on the shoulder “Do not speak so loudly, my friend. Lord Cladborough might still hear you. I must first resolve the issue with Miss Evans, before anything else may transpire.”
Hendley sighed. “I understand, Gatterlen. I understand. Now, shall we head to White’s? I am in the mood for a wager or two and some ale.”
Maxwell agreed. He too could use the distraction, as there was nothing else to do but wait for the next day, when he would be able to attempt to see Miss Evans again.
Chapter 31
Four days had passed since Alexandra’s return to London. She had hoped that returning to her old habits would banish any lingering thoughts of the Duke from her mind. However, she had been wrong. While she did not think of him while she was with clients, she found that the moment her mind was unoccupied, his face was in front of her mind’s eye.
She thought of him while performing menial tasks. She dreamt of him at night and thought of their conversations as she lay upon her bed and when she woke in the morning. It was infuriating.
This afternoon, she found herself returning from an engagement with the young baron and his intended, a viscount’s daughter. She was hopefully for the success of this c
ourtship. She needed a success after the debacle with the Duke.
She passed Holmes’s fine jewelry and waved at the jeweler who was occupied with a lady customer. He returned her wave as she proceeded to her house.
Lately, she found herself scanning the street and the area surrounding her house before approaching, for fear the Duke might linger once more. Alas, she had not seen him, which both brought relief and sadness. Perhaps he had given up after all.
She let herself into the house and proceeded to her drawing room where she dropped herself in a rather unladylike fashion onto the chair. She removed her shoes and let her head rest against the back of the chair, eyes closed. She was exhausted. She would well have fallen asleep in her chair if a sound in the kitchen had not alerted her. Ever since the intrusion some days ago, she had been more aware than usual of any sudden sounds or unexpected movement.
Perfectly Mismatched With The Duke (Historical Regency Romance) Page 21