by Boom, Naomi
“Thank you, my lord. Now if you will excuse us, Mrs. Westfield and I have some personal business to discuss.” Miss Ashford curtsied prettily and departed from the room with Mrs. Westfield on her heels.
Gavin waited until the ladies were well out of the room and then asked Lord Collins, “How are things progressing on the matrimonial front?”
Lord Collins appeared pleased with the mention of marriage and said, “Very well. I just wish Mrs. Westfield would leave us alone sometimes. I am not totally convinced yet that Miss Ashford is the one, but she possesses many traits that I find endearing. Who chaperones you when you are with Lady Laura?”
“Surprisingly, no one. I think that Mrs. Westfield does not care so much about Lady Laura’s virtue. Granted, we are at a house party and surrounded by people, usually.”
“Is there cause to worry?” Lord Collins asked with a penetrating stare.
“Of course not. I am not the one interested in getting leg-shackled, remember?” Gavin took another drink and thought of how much trouble could have been avoided if there had been a chaperone around him and Laura. Not that he was complaining, of course. Given the chance, he may very well kiss her again. “Have you spoken to Miss Ashford of your intentions yet?”
“Not yet. I want to give us more time. I do not see any reason to rush my courtship, especially when I am not positive I will offer for her.”
Gavin was relieved by Lord Collins’s admission. There was still time to prove to Lord Collins that marriage was a poor choice. “Lady Laura and I had a diverting conversation about her childhood. Did you know Lady Laura and Miss Ashford shared the same tutors and literally grew up together?”
“No, I had not known that. What is your point?” Lord Collins asked, unconcerned.
“Well, Lady Laura was talking about her love for horses, which Miss Ashford does not share with her. I distinctly remember your Miss Ashford mentioning she loved to ride, and it seemed odd to me.”
Lord Collins gave him a look of annoyance. “People change. I doubt your interests are the same as when you were a child.”
“Of course not, but I thought it was something you might want to watch out for. If Miss Ashford is lying about her affinity for equestrian activities, what else is she lying about? Just promise me you will take note of anything when she is around horses.” Gavin needed his friend to at least watch out for clues. Otherwise, he may just follow her blindly in his smitten stupor.
“Hmm, I guess I can look for unusual behavior, but I do not think there will be anything to see.” Switching topics he added, “Has Lady Laura given you any trouble?”
Gavin answered honestly, “No, she is actually an interesting little vixen, and I quite enjoy our discourses.” Draining the rest of his brandy he added, “Her fatal flaw is she is an innocent, and thereby untouchable.”
“We could have a double wedding,” jested Lord Collins, although Gavin could detect a minute note of seriousness. “Care for another drink?”
“Why not?” Gavin held out his glass while Lord Collins filled it. “We both know I am not marriage material. Besides, she needs a man who can love her, and I would never be able to do that.”
Gavin knew that much was true about himself. He was incapable of love and did not want to be the one to crush the indomitable spirit that Laura possessed. He was much too jaded about ton marriages to want to enter into one anyway.
His parents had been blessed with a typical high society marriage, where they barely spoke to one another and were unfaithful. In fact, he doubted very much if his sister Alexa was his deceased father’s child at all. He would never tell anyone his doubts, of course. Alexa was his beloved sister and deserved the best. If anyone cast doubts about her parentage, he would not hesitate to call him out.
For these reasons, Gavin avoided marriage like the plague. He did not have the stomach for it. Someday, he would take the plunge when he was older and better equipped not to care what his bride did. Bringing his mind around to safer topics, he started to speak to Lord Collins of parliamentary matters, where Laura was safely out of his thoughts.
Chapter 5
Dinner was served. The main dish was a very tasty roast beef and root vegetable dish that made Laura’s mouth salivate by smell alone. The Songfelds’ chef was a genius, as all the dishes served so far had been above reproach. The ladies left the gentlemen upon dinner’s completion to partake of a bit of tea, although she opted for sherry, an indulgence she rarely allowed herself. She needed a little extra courage to talk to Lord Deering and determine where his heart lay.
The gentlemen eventually joined the ladies, and Laura got to work. Lord Deering took a position on the outskirts of the room, so Laura grabbed Allison to drag her over to him. “Why, Lord Deering, how do you do on this fine evening?” Laura asked invitingly.
Lord Deering glanced between Laura and Allison and bowed politely. “My night has been rather uneventful up until now, of course.” Smiling, he showed a set of straight, white teeth. “Can I fetch you ladies a beverage?”
Laura and Allison both agreed to partake of another glass of sherry, and Lord Deering walked away to fulfill their request. “So what is the plan?” Allison asked.
“I do not have one,” responded Laura dubiously. “It is not like I have done this sort of thing before. I am sure we can just see how the night plays out.”
The sherry glittered invitingly in the glass as Lord Deering handed first Allison’s over and then Laura’s. “How wonderful. It appears Miss Ashford is to play on the pianoforte.”
Laura glanced over to see her cousin take a seat and rifle through the selection of music. Shockingly enough, it appeared Lord Farris was to turn the pages. She would have guessed Lord Farris would be the last person to aid her, yet there he was. Suddenly, his dark gaze swung to her, and she blushed before quickly looking away.
The music started. Eleanor played a piece that showcased her extensive abilities on the pianoforte, and Laura relaxed. Her cousin knew how to play, and it was blissful to hear. Laura was startled from her trance when Lord Deering spoke. “Lady Laura, are you feeling quite right? Your face looked flushed, and now has changed color again. Would you care to get some fresh air?”
This was the perfect opportunity for Laura. Laura enquired sweetly of Allison with a wink, “Would you mind terribly? The cool air would be good for me.”
Allison shooed them away and smiled secretively. Lord Deering extended his arm and escorted her from the room toward the gardens. Laura could not have planned this better if she had tried to. She would hate to be in Allison’s shoes right now, the anticipation would kill her.
Laura was too preoccupied to hear the music as Lord Deering led her from the room. Instead, she was too busy wondering why Lord Deering’s touch elicited none of the same tingles that Lord Farris’s did. The sherry had had a numbing effect on her brain, but she was certain Lord Farris would have been able to clear the fog, unlike Lord Deering.
The pair stepped out into the inky darkness, and Laura realized with dismay that they were very alone together. Maybe a clandestine walk with him was not the best idea, after all. She considered turning around but decided her mission was too important. “So, Lord Deering, did you enjoy the scavenger hunt?”
“The scavenger hunt was a delight, Lady Laura. I especially relished the company of my companion, Miss Somers. That is the main reason I had hoped to get you alone. I noticed you are good friends with Miss Somers, and I want to know if she was promised to anyone.”
Laura could not be happier with the words he said and slightly relieved. He was interested in Allison.
They continued their walk, finally reaching a bench to sit upon. “Well, I do believe there is one certain gentleman.”
Lord Deering looked decisively dejected at Laura’s declaration.
Laura laughed and said, “Please do not look so sad. Allison is interested in you.”
He looked up hopefully and asked, “Are you sure?”
“Of course. Who else could it be?”
How sweet that the two could meet, and fall for each other. Just as Laura hoped she would do someday as well.
The baron’s eyes widened and a wide grin spread across his face. “What luck! I have never met anyone quite like her and have to admit I am quite enamored of her. Naturally, I had worried she was already taken.”
“She certainly is a gem, but do not tell me of your feelings. Go find her, and share your news. She will be overjoyed.” Laura urged him to go immediately and was promptly left alone to her thoughts.
Sadness engulfed her as she thought of the two in love. She knew she should be overjoyed for the couple, but she was all alone. With no prospects or gentlemen even remotely interested, she was in the worst of positions and had never felt the pang of loneliness as strongly as she did now.
She sat down on the garden bench and tilted her head back with a sigh. The cold somehow seemed to suit her melancholy, and the stars only served as a reminder of her lonely existence. Yes, even the moon had its stars to keep it company.
“I am happy to see you are safe, but never do anything so foolish again,” demanded Lord Farris.
Laura levelled a stare at him and whispered, “Oh hush. I am fine.” She was not in the mood to spar with him. Her mood was too low for that. Funny how one could be surrounded by people, yet still feel completely bereft.
A thousand words were spoken in that one look from Laura, so Lord Farris sat, not saying a word.
Laura’s gaze drifted to the moon as she asked, “Have you ever been in love, my lord?”
He paused for a moment before responding, “Once, when I was much younger than I am now.” He sighed with melancholy. “She was a brand new debutante, and I was freshly out of school. I was too young to know what I was doing and was positive I was in love with her. It turns out she favored someone else, or that is what she gave as her reason to choose him over me. He was a much older gentleman who was a better match for her, and naturally, in possession of a higher title.”
“What became of her?”
He sat beside her and took her hand in his. “She married him. The last I heard, she has numerous lovers, which do not include her husband. But you do not need to hear of such matters.”
Laura knew there were some who did not honor the bonds of matrimony, so she was not shocked by his disclosure. “How tragic. Both for you, and for her.”
“Yes, I suppose it is.”
“You know, I plan to marry for love someday. If this woman is to be believed, she married for love but lost that feeling. What is to say that will not happen to me?”
His hand tightened on hers, and his voice held a faintly hoarse note as he said, “You are asking the wrong person.”
“But you loved this lady. How did you get over her?”
“I am afraid I cannot tell you my methods. They are not entirely proper. Just understand that if you find true love, and if it exists, it is not so easily dismissed.”
They sat silently, with her hand in his, as she contemplated the words he spoke. She could hardly believe that she sat alone with a renowned rake, speaking of matters of the heart, but here she was, doing just that.
“My lord?” she asked softly.
“Yes?”
“May I ask you a personal question?”
He chuckled. “Haven’t you already asked several?”
She shifted uncomfortably and nodded. “I suppose I have, but here it is. Everyone knows you detest the idea of marriage. I would imagine someone who has found love would hope for a love match someday.” She knew she did, even if it seemed somewhat unlikely at this point. Her optimistic nature was slowly crumbling down around her. It was hard to feel hopeful when she never received any form of encouragement, from any gentleman.
“Here is the thing. I thought I was in love, but looking back, I think it was just the idea of love that convinced me to fall for the lady. Since then, I realized that love is a false emotion created to convince people to marry.”
He is so jaded. Love must exist though. Otherwise, she was completely wasting her time and should emulate Eleanor by choosing a man in a cold and calculating manner. Somehow that cynical world view only made her sadder.
She turned to regard the stars once more as a gust of wind blew a wisp of her hair over her face. She pushed it aside and looked at him with raw emotion shining in her eyes. “Would you do me a favor?”
“Yes,” he said simply.
“Would you dance with me?” She knew it was absurd, dancing without music, but she needed a momentary connection to someone, even if that connection to someone would never be her someone.
“Of course, I would love to.” Lord Farris stood and pulled her to him, beginning their dance. He led her in a slow, swaying motion with the rustling of leaves as their music and the stars as their candlelight. Laura could only describe this moment as a dream, and each step was on top of a billowy cloud. She knew in that exact moment that she was lost. Just as a leaf drifts from its tree, so she was also falling for Lord Farris. His magnetism had pulled her in, and she regrettably could not stop her momentum. She may have only known him a few days, but it seemed as if a lifetime had passed.
Lord Farris drew the dance to a slow, gradual end. He slowly lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. Such a magical moment was now perfection.
Laura knew there was no hope for her as Lord Farris kissed her so sweetly. She also knew she had to leave before she did something to foolishly betray her revelation to him. The despair of a love that would never be returned was eating away at Laura as she stood in his arms. “Good night,” she whispered, gazing into his eyes.
He slowly disengaged himself from her, and Laura stepped away. She left, not even turning to look back, only sending a whispered “Thank you” and hoping he heard it. A single tear escaped from her eye, and she vowed to never become as jaded as Lord Farris was. She would someday be successful in finding a lasting love, no matter how long it took.
Chapter 6
Laura was already on her way to the stables as the sun crested the horizon. The groom once again saddled the mare that Laura was starting to view as hers, at least for the duration of the party, and she was once more flying toward the copse of trees that seemed to be her riding destination of late.
Laura had done some thinking about the previous night and decided she had drunk too much sherry, hence her abnormal actions. She also decided that she needed to start avoiding Lord Farris. Spending time with him did not benefit her in any way, except to make her fall even harder for him. Finding love was her ultimate goal, but she yearned for love with someone who would return the emotion.
Lord Farris was incapable of loving her, and she knew he would never marry her. He was the sort to marry a woman when he was much older, after he decided to finally secure his lineage. He would marry a woman like Eleanor. Not a woman who preferred the country lifestyle, such as herself. Ultimately, she had concluded she was a strong woman, too strong to pine after a man, and she would move on before he realized how much she cared.
Focusing on other matters, Laura did not notice the doe that suddenly appeared, and she was definitely unprepared for the way her mare suddenly bucked her off. “Ouch,” Laura moaned as her behind hit the dank ground with an audible thud. “Drat,” she muttered as her mare ran off without her in the direction of the house. Luckily, she had landed on a relatively soft pile of leaves and was physically unharmed. Her pride stung a bit, as she was rarely ever bucked from a horse. Laura rose from the damp earth and reassured herself. “I am a strong woman. I will walk back to the house before anyone even notices I have gone missing.” She felt very empowered and started on her walk back.
At least the view on her excursion was enjoyable. She was surrounded by the colors of fall, and even a little bit of green remained on display. There was still a touch of the morning frost on the grass that the sun had not kissed away, and Laura was glad to find something to appreciate, despite her circumstances.
She emerged from the trees and
was dismayed to see the manor so far in the distance. She had not realized she had ridden so far. Only one obstacle lay in her way to dread, and that was the little brook. There was no way to avoid the brook. She would have to wade through it. She had barely noticed it when riding, but her boots were not meant for walking in water. She would just have to cross that bridge when she met it. She chuckled at her little joke.
As she walked for what felt like an eternity, her mind drifted to Lord Farris. He was incessantly present at the house party events, which made sense as he had nowhere else to go. Once the house party dispersed, she was certain she would never see him again. She had spent an entire season without running into him, and this next one would be the same. If she should happen upon him, it would be infrequently, and she could easily avoid him.
The brook was finally at hand, and Laura had no idea how she was going to get across. It was not deep, maybe a foot or two at its deepest point, but she did not want to ruin her boots. It was still fairly chilly, but Laura knew what she had to do. Sitting down on a rock, she started to remove her boots and subsequently her stockings. Upon removal, she lifted her skirts, and dipped a toe in the water. It was intensely cold, cold enough to immediately send a chill throughout her body.
“What are you doing?” Lord Farris asked pleasantly. She had been so focused she had not noticed him ride directly up to her. “If your intent is to bathe, might I suggest a hot bath at the manor?”
She blushed as she realized her ankles were blatantly exposed. She was supposed to be avoiding him, not showing even more of her body off. “Good morning, my lord. I am, very obviously, crossing the brook.”
His eyes appeared as if glued to her ankles, until she coughed slightly. He focused on her and said, “Yes, I see that much, but why would you need to? Where is your horse?”
“I prefer not to say, Lord Farris.”
“Oh please, darling, we know each other well enough for you to call me Gavin.” He chuckled and asked teasingly, “Do not tell me your horse bucked you off?”