“Who to?” Was all Audrey could think of to ask.
“I have shot very high,” their uncle said proudly. “I know the two gentlemen, or I should say I knew their fathers…the pair of gentlemen are from influential families, well connected, with power enough to protect you.”
“But we don’t know them…and they don’t know us. Isn’t that strange? Why would they agree to marry brides without seeing them?” Sara asked stunned.
“There’s something else, isn’t there?” Audrey asked leaning over and touching her uncle’s heavily veined hand. “Tell us all of it. We will understand your reasoning.”
“They are both in situations…I must be frank with you darlings, it is not what I would have wanted for you if I had more time,” their uncle said roughly.
“Situations? That sounds darkly mysterious. I suppose they have their own motivations. Are we to choose which one of the two we will marry, or will they?” Sara asked hardly able to breathe.
Viscount Winston rose and walked to the window. “This land you live on and manage, Summer Garden. It has prospered. You are a wildly talented land manager, Sara and you are marvelous with animals, Audrey. You have both grown into beautiful and loving ladies but dear hearts, you are daughters of a dead viscount with no other important relatives but me,” he sighed. “Your dowries are small, your father more military than landed gentry. I wanted you to have positions in the world…and to gain that end, I needed to overlook certain behaviors…”
“They are rogue gentlemen, aren’t they uncle?” Audrey gasped.
“Yes, they are but fine lords too and they will outgrow their behavior…in time. You must be understanding, forgiving. They have many faults,” their uncle said pacing back to the fireplace.
Sara saw the distress on her uncle’s lined face and her heart broke, she stood up and went over to him, touching his tailcoat sleeve lovingly.
“Then, uncle, Audrey, and I comprehend. We love you. We know you will always do the very best you can for us. We will be understanding. Without you, we would indeed be poor orphans. Whatever…whoever you have found on such short notice to marry us…they will do,” Sara said.
Audrey rushed to them both and hugged them fiercely, “Yes! I agree, uncle. We will make these marriages work and be safe because of them. We will accept your decision and be grateful for it. All we wish for is to see you come home safely from your adventure.”
“Both gentlemen need the assistance of your sweet hearts,” the viscount blurted out and then added. “It can only help them for they have run wild as thistles on a forgotten hillside.”
“My, they do sound somewhat daunting,” Sara said softly.
“Of course they are. Titled and wealthy gentlemen marry for no other purpose than to please their family or for heirs,” Audrey agreed. “What family are they connected to?”
“Cousins…sons of cousins of the Marquis of Sandshire. That superior illustrious gentleman. Stern, privileged, powerful, and proud. He cannot stand by and watch his relation act in such a reckless fashion. He and I shared our educations at Eton and Oxford. We were quite close in our youth. I have spoken to him and he has given his word that these gentlemen will act with honor.”
“That is indeed a powerful endorsement, uncle. Yes, I suppose we must remove love or romance from this equation. It is more of a business arrangement then. And Audrey and I will still have each other. We can assist one another while traveling our own dangerous rocky shores,” Sara said trying to sound positive.
“And one more thing,” the viscount said pulling back his arm and walking towards the window. “Two, actually. The marquis is hosting a house party for a fortnight and both of you will be attending. And these cousins…they will be there. Also, a fine older woman, Lady Whistle will be present to chaperon you both. You must leave this afternoon.”
“Today?” Audrey gasped.
The viscount looked out the garden window to the back drive and sighed. “I believe that’s the Marquis of Sandshire’s carriage arriving now.”
Alternatives
II
The Marquis of Sandshire, and the Earl of Carlyle, had expediently arranged their small private house party for the two Winston ladies and the two untamed cousins, Bristol and Darlington. Lady Whistle was thrilled to be included in the party and to play chaperon to the two young ladies. Thinking of herself as a gifted matchmaker and confidant to the marquis, she agreed not to interfere but to remain present and silent. The marquis doubted she could do either. It was to be held at one of the family’s favorite fall retreats named Riverside, in Suffolk.
The marquis and his son were in the library closed off from their annoying guests, Lady Whistle taking one of her many naps, leaving the two cousins to pace about in their own puzzled misery.
“What’s their plan do you suppose?” Lord Bristol asked his cousin, Lord Darlington in a stage whisper voice.
“Control us by forced marriages, you heard Carlyle, the marquis wants us both wed and he’s holding our allowances over our heads,” Darlington grumbled.
“Well, of course, I know that I was in the room after all. What I meant was why do they think us having a new wife will make any difference in our behavior?” Bristol asked with a blonde raised brow.
“That’s the thing!” Darlington grinned, “It won’t.”
“Exactly so, we shall carry on as before, please the old marquis and keep our allowance,” Bristol exclaimed, “only, there’s got to be more to it. We might both be dashing young Corinthians, superior riders and hunters, but we’re not known for our brainpower now are we? So if we can reason that out so easily, the earl and marquis must suspect it. There must be another part to this scheme. What are we missing?”
“I’m not fretting over it. Their devious plot will be revealed in time. Then, we can deal with it. I’m having more of Sandshire’s superior whiskey,” Darlington said pouring himself a generous glassful of costly spirits.
“The old man does have the finest stock of liquor and have you seen his boxes of cheroots? A fabulous collection. It is no hardship for me to be here for two weeks’ time. My mistress, Samantha is pressing me for another new carriage this time with a flashy black pair with white stockings. I’d rather be in hiding then listen to her rants and raves, her pleas and demands.”
“Then get rid of her,” Darlington laughed.
“I cannot. She’s a damn expensive mistress but worth the price. She also knows how to please,” Bristol said winking.
“When she pressed you to take her to Lady Sinclair’s ball I nearly spit out my brandy to see the prudish faces of those old dowagers when they learned she was your mistress,” Darlington grinned. “You have more audacity than even I and everyone at Tattersall’s says I have more pluck than any rogue in the kingdom.”
“Samantha has very special ways of making me do things I don’t want to do,” Bristol grumbled, “Ah look, the great lords have decided to finally join us.”
The Marquis of Sandshire and Earl Carlyle entered the room with reluctant frowns. The marquis merely nodding before taking a seat by the roaring fire and accepting the drink and cheroot offered by his ready servant.
“Gentlemen,” Carlyle said nodding as well. “Are you ready to meet your future brides?”
Darlington looked over his surroundings in a parody worthy of the London stage, gawking and searching around the corners of the room with his hand held over one dark brow, “I don’t see these fine ladies, are they hiding behind the draperies? Perhaps under the rug?”
Bristol caught on to the game and joined in by turning over cushions and tossing pillows off the settee. “I can’t find them either, they must be very small.”
“Yes! Miniature ladies. I shall carry mine in my coat pocket. I will drop crumbs inside each day and pat the covering very gently when I remove my waistcoats,” Darlington laughed.
“Pocket Princesses we shall call them. We shall draw straws to see who gets who…no…I am two years your senior I have first pick just like we sorted
out that nonsense over the hounds,” Bristol said.
“I don’t think we should go by our ages, quite unfair, and you knew I favored the dog with the black ear and that’s why you chose him,” Darlington complained.
“I also favored the one with the black ear! He was quite fetching as a pup,” Bristol shot back, “Besides, you don’t even care for animals, not as I do.”
“I most certainly do care for animals! I am very fond of several,” Darlington defended his views, “I love my Arabian, Masterful as much as I dislike you!”
Carlyle turned to his father and they exchanged dark looks, “I say cutting their allowance to nothing at all is necessary, father. These two could not be serious if their own coattails were on fire.”
“Perhaps you’re right,” the marquis nodded. “I had hoped that I might be able to improve them, show them a better life but perhaps the military for one and the church for the other might be best.”
“The military?” Bristol shouted.
“The church?” Darlington harmonized. “Gads. I can’t be a vicar. I’d sooner be a farmer.”
“That too can be arranged,” Carlyle grinned. “Father, you could give Darlington a hundred acres, see what he can make of himself.”
“Excellent suggestion,” the marquis nodded sagely smoking his cheroot. “I shall have my man of business, Taylor find something.”
Darlington’s handsome face turned as pale as a white rose and he sank into a chair in despair. “I don’t care for dirt,” he muttered.
“I don’t care for cannon, or eating rations, or wearing dull uniforms,” Bristol grumbled.
Darlington and Bristol exchanged glances.
“I will have this lady,” Darlington declared as if he were doing the marquis some great boon.
“I shall have mine,” Bristol announced. “It’s a much better suggestion, Sandshire. Very wise.”
“And thoughtful!” Darlington added. “Kindness itself. When are they arriving?”
“Tomorrow,” the marquis replied. “I have sent my private carriage for them.”
“Soon then,” Darlington murmured chewing his lip.
“I for one cannot wait,” Bristol said walking closer to the marquis. “I’m counting the very minutes until her arrival.”
“I am counting the seconds,” Darlington chimed in.
“I am counting to a hundred,” Carlyle said with a dark twist to his full lips.
“Then, everything is settled. And there won’t be any drawing of straws or going by your ages,” the marquis said sternly. “The two ladies are sisters and they will decide who has who. Yes, the two lovely Winston sisters will decide.”
Competition
III
“Father,” Carlyle grinned, “Hearing them both expound on your cleverness all through that late supper had me holding my lips tight so I wouldn’t burst into laughter.”
“They’re buffoons, both of them,” Sandshire grumbled. “I worry that I have placed the two lovely Winston ladies in some peril.”
“You have such a high regard for those two ladies, how do you know about them?” Carlyle asked.
“When their father died they were both young girls. Their uncle, the present Viscount Winston stepped in to raise them. I had a hand in several matters at the time with Winston and he often spoke about them.”
Curious, Carlyle asked, “What was said?”
“He admired their courage when orphaned, the kindness they showed to each other, their thoughtfulness to staff, animals, and villagers. It was always a gay ramble of their praises,” the marquis smiled. “It would be tales of their archery skills, the ribbons they won at fairs, the younger one, Audrey is said to be an excellent horsewoman.”
“Is she?” Carlyle remarked. “I admire a talented miss who can ride well.”
“Oh, she doesn’t simply ride,” the marquis said observing his son’s interested expression.
“What then?” Carlyle asked.
“She jumps! Excellent seat. She doesn’t have an arena or anything too fine so she has made a course of hedges, small streams, and the like at their residence of Summer Garden. She has a spirited and yet sweet demeanor, her uncle says. A great favorite to anyone who meets her.”
Carlyle’s face grew serious and he frowned. “Such a fine female might not fare well with either Bristol or Darlington.”
“Or, she might inspire one of them to be a civilized man. We shall watch them all carefully. If you see any sign of meanness against them, you must come to me with it. I won’t have them marry into misery,” the marquis said.
“What’s her age?” Carlyle asked more interested than he wanted to be.
“Eighteen, a good age for a gentleman in his twenties or thirties I think,” Sandshire replied.
“And the other?” Carlyle asked.
“I believe she just turned twenty-one. So serious about making a go of their plot of lands that she has no social life. I understand she is quite gifted with numbers, managing tenants, and pleasing both sides with the rare gift of diplomacy. Sara Rose and Audrey Winston are creatures who can give love more than demand it. They are also said to turn men’s heads,” the marquis said noticing his son’s reaction.
“Turn men’s heads with their kindness?” Carlyle asked puzzled.
Sandshire laughed out loud. “Gads no. With their beauty. Didn’t I mention to you how gorgeous they are said to be? Winston would say every man including the married ones would stop and stare at them given the opportunity.”
“A biased opinion, surely. A guardian and also an uncle, he is bound to exaggerate their appearance,” Carlyle said smiling. “Why, I remember Lord Paddington going on and on about his daughter and when I set eyes on her I could see nothing at all pleasing.”
“Perhaps,” Sandshire said finishing his drink and standing to stretch his bad leg. “Pale blonde hair, large gray eyes, shapely figures, and long legs, I must confess I am highly anticipating seeing the ladies myself.”
“Why father, don’t tell me you might be interested in one of them,” Carlyle jested.
“No, they are not for me,” Sandshire replied, “Or for you. They are for Bristol and Darlington. That’s what I have arranged and that’s what needs to be done. That doesn’t mean we might not show them interest. I was thinking…”
“I know that gleam in your eye. What are you plotting?” Carlyle asked with a grin.
“Only that you might show one of them favor. Perhaps both of them. Just enough to indicate to those wild rogues that they might have competition. Something to spur them on, nothing won too easily is valued. They must work at winning their lady.”
“I agree. And then you must also show an interest. You’re not ready for the grave yet, father. You have many good years left in you. If I must do this false flattery then you too must participate,” Carlyle said.
“Agreed,” Sandshire said, “And now I am up to bed. Tomorrow promises to be an interesting day.”
PART TWO
Sisters & Silliness
Carriage Chatter
I
Sara Rose Winston and her sister Audrey were excited to travel away from the pleasant village of Briar Way, their farm of Summer Garden, and their brick cottage at last. Both sisters had often read charts, studied maps on their uncle’s knee, and wished they were men. Then they could travel the world, see all the amazing sights, learn other languages, and speak to many different cultures. But, alas, they were young orphaned females and must stay close to home, sewing when neither of them cared for it, gardening when both thought it dull work, and practicing music that no one ever heard them play.
So, to be sitting in such a plush carriage of a wealthy marquis, its sparkling lacquered black exterior with the grand crest on both doors, the burgundy interior with fox wraps over their laps, the Winston ladies could not contain the happy smiles on both of their faces.
“How exciting to see such new acreage and crops along the turnpike road,” Sara exclaimed. “I wish I could see their
drainage systems better. They have their orchards high on hills, surrounded by pines on the north to block the cold winds, how clever.”
“Did you see that magnificent black stallion back there, what I wouldn’t give to ride him,” Audrey cried. “And that herd of sweet mares, their manes all braided. I can’t wait to see the horseflesh in the Marquis of Sandshire’s stables.”
Then Sara and Audrey burst into merry laughter, their gray eyes sparkling and they both said at once, “And our future husbands.”
“Oh, I don’t like to think of them,” Audrey said.
“I think about them too much,” Sara smiled.
“I don’t want a harsh stranger telling me I cannot jump my horse, or dance about if I feel like it,” Audrey grinned.
“I don’t want to be judged by my appearance and expected to sit on a golden settee all day and sip tea. I shall go quite mad,” Sara said biting her full bottom lip.
“I won’t take to having my every whim curtailed. I enjoy my freedom,” Audrey said.
“Perhaps too much, dear. My fault for letting you run about like a wild hoyden, carefree, boisterous, and high on life. I could not bring myself to squash that spirit,” Sara said thoughtfully.
“And I won’t let any man change me now,” Audrey said reaching over and grabbing her sister’s small gloved hand. “You let me be happy when things were most dim, and father died so very far away. You made me see that the future could still be bright, that we both had promise, and I owe you, Sara. You taught me how to freely love living again long ago when mother died.”
“And you gave me a reason to live again,” Sara said squeezing her sister’s hand. “Whatever happens at this estate of Riverside, if you dislike this chosen gentleman, if you don’t believe you can accept him then you must promise me that you will tell me at once.”
“And you the same for dear uncle wants us safe but not miserable. He’s a man. He sees securing our futures by only one path, by men taking the reins,” Audrey said with a wink. “We have proved that women can be happy without the emotion, entanglements, and heartbreaks of men.”
Earl of Carlyle (The Rogue Gentlemen Series Book 2) Page 2