To Tempt a Dashing Lord

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To Tempt a Dashing Lord Page 29

by Lucy Langton


  “Since I want you to succeed, Fitz, I advise you to write to all lords in the area regardless of rank. Though it would be most acceptable to marry a young lady in close rank as yourself, I think that rank is not as important as finding a suitable young lady to be your bride,” Lord Douglas spoke up.

  Fitz thought about the idea for a moment and eventually stood from his desk and made his way over to a bookshelf. There, he pulled a small notebook from the shelf and returned to his chair. He opened it before Michael and showed him the list inside.

  “My father always kept a list of families that occupied the area. I’ve tried to keep up with it, but have been lacking these last few years since I’ve not been very social,” Fitz admitted. “I shall use this list to construct my letters.”

  “Perhaps you should make an enquiry before you construct your list. What if you don’t have everyone?”

  “Then I shall include in my letters enquiries as well. If a lord doesn’t have an eligible daughter, then he may reply with at least a reference of whom I should contact next.”

  “That is surely an idea.” Michael looked back down at the book, running his finger down the line of family names. “Well, you certainly have a good place to start with.”

  “I can agree with that,” Fitz said as he closed the book and set it to the side of his desk. “It’s a beginning, for sure.”

  “Then let us retire for the night. You’ll need all the energy you can muster to deal with the boys tomorrow.” Fitz smirked then as he rose from his chair with his friend and left the study. He couldn’t deny that fact at all.

  As Fitz readied for bed, he couldn’t help thinking about the proposition he was about to enter into. He would agree to marry a young lady in return for having children. She would be well taken care of, and though Fitz wouldn’t be able to love her, he would make sure she remained happy during her days. He knew how to be a dutiful husband and provide for one’s needs. He only hoped that whomever he agreed to marry wouldn’t expect anything more than he could monetarily give.

  It was only when Fitz laid down in bed that he started to feel anything more than the numbness he normally kept around his heart. There was a sense of fear that stole through him at the idea of bringing someone other than Marian to his bed.

  Though he’d come to terms with her being gone, he hadn’t put any thought into marrying again. And now that he’d agreed to do so to Michael, if only to have children of his own, Fitz was filled with the uncertainty of whether or not he could go through with it. After all, he’d never discovered who had killed Marian and why.

  Chapter 3

  Miss Diana Casey was sitting in the drawing room of her father’s small country estate. Before her was the ledger that she kept detailed and accurate notes in. Every morning, she reviewed the notes from the day before, much like she was doing now, trying to find anywhere upon the lines where she could make an adjustment and stretch their money a little further.

  Being the youngest of five children, Diana had come to learn much about life from a very young age. Both her parents were much older now, relying on Diana for most things in life when it came to the daily running of the household, as well as managing the small estate of a marquess. That was why Diana was currently in charge of the family’s budget because her parents could no longer see the fine print upon the pages with much clarity.

  She was also the only child that hadn’t tried to completely ruin her parents or take advantage of them. And though all four of her older siblings were now married into wealthy families, none of them would answer her frequent pleas for financial assistance.

  Therefore, it was up to Diana to stretch ever shilling they had left. Her father’s coffers were almost empty, forcing Diana to let go of most of the servants. All that remained was their loyal housekeeper and a modest Cook. The rest was left to Diana to manage.

  Though she was a proper lady, she’d been forced to learn how to keep the house clean, wash laundry, and even mend clothes under the guidance of Mrs Merriweather, their housekeeper. The older woman was a godsend and one of the few people helping Diana keep the household together.

  Diana read over each line, counting the days till the next payment would be sent from Town based on her father’s monthly earnings from his title. Her father had very little tenants left, and their land had only shrunken more and more when her older brother demanded their father’s title. The man had yet to claim it but had taken their father’s greatest resources instead.

  Diana was doing her best not to let her mind wander down an angry road. But every time she looked at the ledger, she couldn’t help remembering how each of her siblings had done something to hurt their parents financially.

  Diana didn’t know how much longer she and her parents would be able to reside in their country estate. The townhouse had already been claimed by another sibling, therefore going to Town was not an option anymore. There were no other relatives that would take them in once they had financial ruin. And even if Diana began to do all the chores and errands, even letting go of Mrs Merriweather and Cook, they would eventually run out of money to even purchase food.

  “What terrible luck,” Diana said softly as she closed the ledger. She slid it back in its position on her writing desk before she folded up the compartment, using the key that she kept tucked away in her sleeve to lock it up tight. She was just about to join her parents for the afternoon meal when Michelle came bounding into the sitting room with a happy smile on her face.

  “Miss Bradly, what a wonderful surprise,” Diana said as she stood and embraced her dear friend. Though the young woman was the daughter of the village’s baker, Diana wasn’t one to judge a person based on their rank but instead on how they treated other people. Michelle was the kindest person she’d ever met and often brought day-old bread to her home for them to use.

  “I’ve already given Cook the bread I managed to take from the bakery, but it is not the reason I came,” Michelle said as she gestured towards the settee in the room. Diana then sat down with her as Michelle rubbed her hands together eagerly.

  “Alright then, what is the true reason for your visit?” Diana asked, willing to entertain Michelle. Since the young woman worked in the village, and at a very popular bakery, Michelle was prone to all sorts of gossip. Diana could only assume that her unexpected visit was based on such sort of news.

  “Miss Margret, the assistant to the cook over at Lord Dillon’s manor, came in this morning to pick up her normal order of sourdough bread and told me how her master received a letter from the Duke of Chatham. It seems Lord Mavis is in search of a wife and is sending letters to all the lords in the area for an eligible young lady to be his bride,” Michelle said in an excited voice as she clapped her hands together.

  Diana frowned as she took time to remember who the Duke of Chatham was. Since she was only nineteen and hadn’t spent a Season in Town since her parents couldn’t dream of beginning to afford it, Diana hadn’t had much experience with high society or the Ton. At first, she could not remember knowing a Lord Mavis.

  “Forgive me, Miss Bradly, but I don’t have a memory of ever meeting Lord Mavis,” Diana admitted.

  “He’s the Duke that lives on the northern side of the neighbourhood. I suppose you’ve never met him before because he lost his wife about three years ago and hasn’t really been seen since,” Michelle explained. At the mentioning of this, Diana thought she remembered something about a gentleman who had become a widow.

  “Is this the man whose wife was murdered?” Diana asked, trying to piece the memory back together.

  “Precisely,” Michelle said as her eyes grew wide. “That’s what makes this news so bazaar. The Duke is looking for a wife and is willing to enter into an arranged marriage.”

  “My goodness, what for?” Diana wondered.

  “No doubt to continue the family line. You know how those upper-class lords are only worried about heirs and such,” Michelle said in a dissatisfied tone. “And with such a title, I’m sure
he’ll get plenty of requests from eager fathers wanting their daughters to marry well.”

  “There is too much mystery surrounding the man to really make a certain guess as to why he is in want of a wife,” Diana decided upon. “There is no telling from a man no one has heard about for years.”

  “I’m excited to hear whom he’ll end up marrying. There are not that many young ladies who could fit the bill,” Michelle said. “I believe this will be the most exciting news of the year.”

  “Come now, Miss Bradly. I don’t really think this line of topic should occupy our time. It’s a strange circumstance that I should certainly not have time to care about. A Duke would never consider a poor young lady such as myself, no matter the desire or need to have a wife.” Diana looked away from Michelle then and instead at her hands as they clenched together in her lap.

  It was wrong of her to complain because she knew that Michelle’s wealth depended on the success of the bakery. Furthermore, Diana was a proper young lady while Michelle was born into a much lower class than even she.

  “You never know what might happen,” Michelle said as she reached across the settee and placed her hand gently on Diana’s. “Things won’t always be as they are now. As my mama has always told me, all things in life are temporary.” Diana forced a smile to her lips as she looked back up at Michelle. Michelle was truly a splendid friend, and she was lucky to have such a friend in her life.

  “I have just finished going over the ledger once more, and it has only caused my fears and worries to increase. I feel as though I could count the days until we are without a single income.”

  “It’s hard for me to believe that not a single married child of your parents has done anything to help out. Do you not think that you should write to them again, explaining in detail your troubles?”

  Diana shook her head, thinking that it had done no good before then. But as Michelle squeezed her hand once more, she knew that she shouldn’t ever give up hope.

  “I will write to all four of them once more. Perhaps this time someone will come to our aid,” Diana finally said. “But now I must really get to the housework and see that my parents are comfortable. I’m as equally afraid for their health as I am about our financial situation.”

  Michelle rose from the settee as she helped Diana to her feet. “Do let me know if there is anything else I can assist with. I know I don’t have as much as you, but I will still help if I can.”

  “Your friendship means more to me than you could ever fathom. It is all I need in life,” Diana said with a genuine smile on her face. Michelle beamed at her in return before she dipped her head and curtsied.

  “I will be returning to the village as well. Enjoy the day,” Michelle said as she straightened her posture once more. “And if I hear any more about this mysterious duke, I’ll be sure to let you know.” Diana couldn’t help chuckling as she escorted Michelle to the front of the house. She saw her off before turning and making her way towards the drawing room. It was there she found her parents being tended to by Mrs Merriweather.

  “We missed you for the afternoon meal,” Lady Casey said as she looked up once Diana came into the room.

  “Forgive me, Mother. I was busy with the ledger, and Miss Bradly from the village came to pay me a visit,” Diana explained as she sat next to her mother.

  “I’m sure she was full of all sorts of gossip,” Lady Casey said with a chuckle. Diana couldn’t disagree with her and instead placed her hand over her mouth as though to say her lips were sealed.

  Diana’s father sat across from them, rummaging through the daily post. Diana knew that her father couldn’t read the letters very well anymore, but she wouldn’t put him to shame by saying so out loud.

  She’d let him try to read whatever letters had come for him that day, and in the evening, she would review them and explain them to her father after her mother had retired for the evening. Most of them would be notices of past due payments, but Diana wouldn’t worry about them until that evening.

  “I left a plate of boiled eggs and cheese on the table for you, Miss Casey. Would you like me to bring it into the drawing room for you?” Mrs Merriweather asked.

  “That would be lovely, thank you,” Diana replied.

  “Aren’t we blessed to have such a wonderful housekeeper?” Lady Casey commented. “She has been such a loyal servant all these years. I feel like it was just yesterday she came to work for us when Gabriel was born.”

  The mentioning of her eldest brother made her cringe, but Diana did her best not to show any signs of distaste towards her older siblings. Her parents often always saw the good in people and couldn’t even fault their children for their abandonment of them. Diana, on the other hand, knew in her heart that she’d never feel any love towards her siblings like she once did as a child.

  “I agree that Mrs Merriweather is an invaluable housekeeper,” Lord Casey spoke up just as the woman was returning to the drawing room. She smiled happily as she handed Diana the plate of food. She thanked her in return and waited for the woman to depart before speaking up again.

  “It is her loyalty that has really been our saving grace,” Diana commented. “I could not do the work I do without her.”

  Silence filled the room then as Diana ate the meagre meal. Lady Casey seemed to be drawn away by her deep thoughts. Diana would sneak glances at her mother, observing her hair that used to flow in golden curls down her back.

  Now, it was braided grey hair that framed her ageing face. Her father, on the other hand, still had his luscious brown hair that seemed to be untouched by age. Since Diana shared his hair colour, she also hoped that she’d have his longevity. Sometimes it made Diana wonder if her mother had aged a bit faster than her father since he still had youthful tones about him.

  By the time Diana had finished eating, she knew that it was time she finally started working around the house. She didn’t like to delay too long when it came to the housework because she knew how quickly it could pile up. Diana would have never known the effort it took to keep a small household clean and tidy. But ever since her father had imparted on her the news that their fortunes were rather low, Diana had stepped up to make sure that everything was taken care of for as long as she remained a single woman.

  Diana rose from the settee and dipped her head towards her parents as she said, “Enjoy the afternoon. I have some things to take care of.”

  “Very well, my dear,” Lord Casey said as he tried hard to read a letter from where he sat next to the fireplace. Diana loathed any thoughts of the colder months when a fire would need to be tended to. She wasn’t sure if they could afford the wood to keep warm, and that would only be a larger strain on her parents.

  Diana forced her thoughts away from their troubles as she left the drawing room and went towards the kitchen. There, she placed her dirty plate in the dry sink before bidding Cook a warm greeting and then making her way upstairs to tend to the laundry. As she went, she thought about what Michelle had spoken of earlier, of the Duke in search of a wife. She still found the idea rather mysterious because she did not know anything about the Duke besides the death of his late wife. She couldn’t fathom why he’d want a wife and thought that if she ever met the man that perhaps she would discover all his mysteries.

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