by Abby Ayles
Thea ignored it and rather tried to focus on the duke.
“Might I say, Miss Caulfield, that I am rather surprised by you?” he then said suddenly.
Thea stopped walking for a moment and stared at him. The Duke of Sandon stopped as well and turned to her.
“Forgive me,” she said, then began walking again.
“I do not need to forgive anything. I am surprised by you because of your honesty. It is not like the majority of the young women I have met in society to be so honest. I find you to be rather refreshing,” he complimented with a smile.
Thea felt as if something were rolling in her chest into the pit of her stomach. She had not anticipated anything like this from the duke.
They walked around the park maintaining a good deal of quiet before the duke suggested he ought to get Thea back to her home.
The coach was silent, but Thea’s mind was troubled by confusion. As he watched out the window, she discreetly observed him, curious as to his thoughts.
Later that evening, Margaret came to visit Thea in the parlor and learn how the day had gone.
“Well, he was different than I had anticipated,” Thea confessed.
“Oh? Was he charming and utterly sincere?” Margaret asked romantically.
“No,” Thea laughed. “Perhaps in some ways. He was rather complimentary. But I also cannot say that we have any similar interests. Save for reading and walking, but those do not make a marriage. And we spoke very little. In fact, after he told me how he appreciated my honesty, I can’t say that we spoke of anything further.”
“Just give it time, Thea. It seems to me that you are the only person opposed to this match. Do you not think there is a reason?” Margaret asked.
“Perhaps there is. But I cannot see it,” Thea replied. Her mind twisted with the fact that she needed to accept the marriage, but could she truly let go of everything she had ever hoped for her life?
Chapter 8
“Mr. Cotswold, I presume?” the duke greeted as he sat in the chair on the other side of the desk in the office.
“Indeed, and it is a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace,” replied the business man as he sat in his own chair.
Mr. Cotswold leaned back and seemed to be appraising the Duke of Sandon. It left him feeling uneasy, as if he were being judged by how much Mr. Cotswold could expect from him financially.
After a moment of intense quiet, the Duke of Sandon finally spoke.
“I do believe you know why I’ve come,” he said as if it were a question.
“Indeed,” Mr. Cotswold replied, leaning forward. “Our mutual friend has told me that you are interested in starting up with a trade firm.”
“Well, it has been recommended to me. I was rather hoping that you might help to advise me in the matter,” the duke said, wondering if Mr. Cotswold was, indeed, a trade advisor, or rather a man who simply made a profit on advising men to move forward.
“I see. In truth, Your Grace, I cannot advise you on what is best for your family. I can only tell you what options you have and encourage you to think through them critically before following through,” Mr. Cotswold said in response.
“Which I do appreciate,” the duke replied. “But what might you be able to tell me about your business?”
“My firm is growing rapidly. We have three ships on the sea, each one bringing commodities that are of great value to the English people. With every item traded, Britain learns of a new toy that it simply cannot live without,” Mr. Cotswold smiled in a rather charming, wistful way.
“I imagine so. Tell me then, do you not trade simply in typical goods? Such as spices and the like?” the duke inquired.
“We certainly trade in such important materials as those as well. However, we do like to broaden our goods. Have a look at this,” Mr. Cotswold said, pulling a wooden box out of his drawer.
The Duke of Sandon looked at it, uncertain what made it different from other wooden boxes, save for a glance of the beautiful design carved upon it. Then he noticed that inlaid into the wood was a colorful array of polished stones and even the white of bone, creating an imagine of an Oriental garden.
“It is exquisite,” the duke commented, incredulous.
“Yes, indeed, it is. However, that is not the extent of it,” the tradesman noted.
He offered it to the duke to try and he quickly realized that the lid would not open. Looking back at Mr. Cotswold, he waited.
“Let me show you,” Mr. Cotswold offered, taking the box and moving a number of small pieces to reveal a hidden opening from which a small, metal key dropped.
Mr. Cotswold moved one more piece of wood and allowed the duke to open the puzzle box.
“It is marvelous!” the duke exclaimed.
“It most certainly is. And I must tell you, this is from nearer regions than those to which we will be traveling. Such creativity only deepens, the further into a society we travel. You will see. You will know for yourself, very soon, that this is the way of the future,” Mr. Cotswold assured him. “It is only for you to decide whether or not you shall move forward with us.”
The Duke of Sandon was still for a moment, considering this. Surely, he considered, that Mr. Cotswold was being genuine if he was encouraging him to make his own decisions, encouraging him to see the crafts available. If he was intent on allowing the duke to choose what he quite desired, then the man must be trustworthy.
However, the Duke of Sandon was no fool. He would not make his decisions that day, but truly would take time and also learn more about Mr. Cotswold and his character before investing in this trade opportunity.
“Well then,” the duke began, “I appreciate the information you have given me. I do have much to consider and would like to take the opportunity to make some decisions.”
Mr. Cotswold’s smile faltered for only an instant.
“Have you no further questions?” he asked.
“Quite a few, actually. However, I still must consider whether or not trade is even the right path to choose,” the duke answered.
“And how will you make that determination without answers?” Mr. Cotswold reasoned, with a legitimate truth to keep the duke present.
The Duke of Sandon sighed.
“I understand that you’re correct, but I also do not know if it is wise to risk my family’s wealth in this endeavor at all,” he replied.
Mr. Cotswold leaned forward again and pressed his hands together.
“Your Grace, you do have much to think about. But I can guarantee you that investing in a trade business and being a part of a company that will be bringing the finest quality items from the Orient, is the wisest financial decision a man can make in our times.
“Trade is the future. Fabrics, tea, inventions you have never imagined possible. All of them are now at our fingertips because of trade. They are inexpensive to purchase and transport and they bring in a significant revenue from those to whom they are sold,” Mr. Cotswold said passionately.
“And how much would I be expected to invest into this new business?” the duke asked.
Mr. Cotswold continued his variations by leaning back.
“Well, now, Your Grace, that is not the matter at hand. It is only a very small sum required, and any beyond that is accepted only so long as it is at your comfort,” the man replied, offended that it should even be a consideration.
The duke’s face fell. He was still hesitant. Mr. Cotswold did not seem entirely honest so far as he could tell.
“I suppose you are right, Your Grace,” Mr. Cotswold said suddenly, standing from his chair. “Perhaps you are not the man for this particular trade investment. You have doubts and a man who harbors doubts cannot hold to this business.
“Besides, I have another appointment with Lord Engsbury. I understand and respect if you cannot hold to this venture. There are dozens of men interested, but, of course, I wished to give you favor because of our mutual friend. Please do not worry. I should hate for you to feel obligated,” Mr. Cotswold ex
plained.
“Oh, I was not aware there was so much interest,” the Duke of Sandon said aloud. “Forgive me, I believed there was time to consider and invest when that time came.”
“Well, we do try to give men opportunities to do so. But I also cannot help it when I have so many interested parties. And while there are others wishing for an appointment, Lord Engsbury is the only other with whom I have scheduled on account of his being involved with another trade expedition,” Mr. Cotswold divulged.
“I see. He has experience, then?” the Duke of Sandon asked.
“Of course. And I know he is a man with that distinct courage that will take my business far,” Mr. Cotswold replied.
The Duke of Sandon considered. He longed to be a brave man. The sort who was willing to take risks to better his life and that of his family. And soon he would be married. He would take a wife who would need to be provided for. Beyond that, in the future someday, he might have children as a result.
It would do a great deal of good for them to have so much financial security.
“Right then, if that is the case, I suppose we ought to continue the discussion…”
***
When the Duke of Sandon arrived home that evening, he felt a sense of pride.
He had, indeed, been brave. Taking a risk and investing in something that he had never looked into before was not what he would have advised for others. But he was feeling confident. And if his friend, the Duke of Arborshire, had done as well as he claimed, then there was no reason not to trust him.
It had merely been a matter of anxiety and uncertainty about Mr. Cotswold that caused him to hesitate so much.
But after the appointment, he had gone to the Duke of Arborshire’s home where his friend confirmed that while Mr. Cotswold was utterly unlikable, he was an excellent man and a great deal better than he seemed at first meeting.
The Duke of Sandon sat in his study, as he typically did in the evenings. Placing papers in neat stacks, he arranged the new business account and considered what goods he would see brought from the Orient in return for his decision.
Perhaps if he was able to give his mother a nice trinket, she would be appeased about his marrying well below his station. She was a woman who desired to have things that others in society would never have. The duke was certain he could come up with something.
Should he truly manage to triple his family’s money, he could not imagine what awaited them. He would be able to lavish his new bride with gifts, if for no other reason than to put on a show that they loved one another.
He would also be able to build another estate. And if he were fortunate enough to have sons one day, he might be able to ensure each was cared for.
As the Duke of Sandon dreamt about these things, conceiving what he might do with the fortune he saw in the near future, his spirits only lightened further.
He thought again about the puzzle box and how he ought to have one brought for his mother. She would like that. It would be a place to keep some of her finer jewels for when she did not wear them.
And perhaps he might fetch one for Miss Caulfield as well. She had seemed rather honest, but also quite private, on their walk. He thought that perhaps she was just the sort of woman who might need a box in which to keep things hidden.
Their wedding would not be long from then. The duke considered that it would be quite a good idea to have a puzzle box in time for that, perhaps even left in her room after the ceremony and he could show her how to use it if she liked.
It felt strange to think of the young woman. It was as if, despite knowing they were to be married, he had to remind himself just to remember her. By not knowing her at all, he found it so easy to forget her completely.
What sort of husband would he make, forgetting his wife in the day to day of things?
Chapter 9
“You look so beautiful!” Delia exclaimed upon seeing Thea as she stood in front of the mirror in her room.
“Truly?” she asked, gazing down at her white gown and lifting a hand to the updo of her hair.
“Of course! Georgette believes so as well, but you know how she so does hate competition,” Delia laughed.
“Oh, but you are both such beautiful sisters, how could I possibly compete with either of you?” Thea asked, gushingly.
Thea and Delia delighted themselves as Georgette, quiet and seemingly annoyed at first, lost herself to the joy of the room.
As the sisters readied for a community dance, they could not escape their excitement. It was said that there would be regiments at the dance. The news had not escaped the ears of a single young woman in town and all were determined to come out looking their best.
Thea felt the palpable joy flowing from her sisters and was excited as well, although she knew that she would not have the opportunity to enjoy the possibility of flirtation and attention. Still, she was full of hope that perhaps Delia would be able to find a husband rather than going off and finding work.
As evening began to fall, the Caulfield family exited the home together and walked towards the small hall where the dance would be hosted. All around them, neighbors, especially the young women, were making their way.
“Margaret!” Thea called, seeing her friend.
Margaret turned and rushed over to the Caulfields, curtseying as she greeted Thea’s parents.
“Oh, you do look lovely!” Margaret exclaimed, looping her arm in Thea’s.
“Not half as lovely as you,” she replied.
With Margaret’s family following behind, they covered the rest of the short distance and arrived at the hall where the music was already spilling out. Through the doors, people were dancing gaily in the gallery and without a thought. Beautiful fabrics were draped around the room and a white table of food was nearby.
Almost instantly, Alexander Collingridge swooped in and took Margaret in his arms to join him in the dance. Thea and Delia giggled with delight at the display as their mother and father went off in search of friends to speak with and other matters to attend to.
“Are you certain he is coming?” Thea heard her mother ask, but further discussion was cut off by the crowd they moved into. No doubt, they were hoping to find a young man they had in mind for Delia or to arrange for Georgette in the coming times.
It was not long before Delia and Georgette were swept into the dancing as well. Thea knew that there would be fewer men asking her for a dance as she was recently betrothed to a man far above the station of anyone here. In many ways, it caused her to feel lonely.
She would have loved to have danced with Mr. Anison, a farmer near her father’s age, who always had a joke to share. Or even Andrew, Margaret’s cousin, who was a year or two younger than her and was a kind young man from a good family.
While Thea knew that dancing with eligible young men would be frowned upon, there were plenty she could seek to dance with. She only wished that they might approach her first and it was rapidly becoming clear that this was unlikely to happen.
Taking Thea completely by surprise, Mrs. Caulfield rushed up from behind her and nearly toppled her over in her hurry.
“Mother, what is it?” she asked urgently.
“Make yourself presentable, dear. Your betrothed has come,” she announced in a dramatic whisper.
Thea felt as though her heart had plummeted to her stomach.
Here? The Duke of Sandon had come to their small community event? What business did he have, surrounding himself with all of his inferiors? Was this all just another show to appear as though he was somehow any different from men of his own station?
“Mother, please,” Thea begged in a panicked voice. “Tell me you are simply teasing. The duke would never come to such an event.”
Mrs. Caulfield gestured to the far end of the room where her husband was introducing the duke to some of the town’s more important men. The Duke of Sandon seemed somehow taller and more imposing than the others.
“Yes, Thea, well the duke would also never marry a
young woman so far beneath his station, but he has chosen to quite willingly. Stop making all of your assumptions about him,” Mrs. Caulfield scolded.
Thea had nothing to say in reply. It was true that the duke had gone against everything she anticipated. He was certainly a unique man, different from other nobility. But the knowledge that he had come to an event like this, Thea could not help but wonder if he had some ulterior motive.
Was he there to check on her? Was it some sort of attempt to ensure that his property was not being handled by other men? Or did he enjoy the praise and honor of existing among those who were so beneath him?