by Jane Charles
“I hope I’ve been of assistance.”
“Assistance? Have you been chopping more wood?” she exclaimed. “Need I remind you that you are also a guest.”
“Not a courting guest,” Caleb clarified.
Oh, if only he were…Lucinda didn’t allow herself to finish the thought. If he were interested in courting her, Mr. Copeland would have joined the other gentlemen. Instead, he avoided everyone.
She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. Was he simply being polite now? Did he not care for her and was that the reason he hadn’t joined them for meals?
“I’d like to thank you for ridding us of Lord E.”
“That, most assuredly was my pleasure.” He stopped and turned to her. “He did not harm you, did he?”
The intensity and concern in his green eyes nearly took her aback. “No, though he may have smarted when…he was injured in a manner that would make most men cry and ended up on the floor in the parlor.” Her face heated. She shouldn’t really speak of how she had attempted to maim her assailant.
“Good for you.” Mr. Copeland grinned. “My brothers and I have taught our sisters to do the same if found in a similar situation.”
At least he’d not frowned on her unfavorable response. “How many siblings do you have?”
“Five brothers and four sisters.”
“Goodness,” her eyes widened. “Your family is larger than mine. I’ve six brothers and three sisters.”
They stopped as the dairy maid rushed forward carrying buckets of milk. She paused and offered a quick curtsey to Lucinda then smiled at Mr. Copeland. “Thank you again, Mr. Copeland. I would still be milking if you hadn’t helped me.”
“It was my pleasure, Agnes. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Her eyes widened and she glanced to Lucinda. “I did not ask him, my lady. He just showed up in the dairy barn and started milking.”
“You’ve nothing to be worried about, Agnes. I, like you, appreciate the assistance Mr. Copeland has offered, given we are so short of staff.”
The dairymaid offered another quick curtsey then hurried to the door leading to the kitchens.
“First chopping wood, now milking cows,” Lucinda muttered.
“And I thank you for allowing me to take my pleasure where I will.” He grinned at her.
“I don’t believe I’ve ever considered milking cows pleasurable,” she teased.
“Then you must have never milked a cow.”
She hadn’t, but there was no reason why she shouldn’t.
Caleb was enjoying his visit to Forester Hall. While his great-aunts visited with Her Grace and chaperoned Lady Lucinda and her lords, he’d been free to chop wood, muck stalls, care for horses and milk cows, and for the first time since he’d come to England, he had a purpose.
“Lady Lucinda, you mustn’t be here!” Agnes cried.
“Why ever not?” she asked, her voice laced with a humor that Caleb had come to associate with the lady. It was as if she were always in good spirits, except when forced to endure the lords, that is.
“It’s a dairy,” Agnes exclaimed.
Lady Lucinda laughed. “I am well aware, and I’ve come to help milk the cows.”
Caleb grabbed a pail and stool. “I’d be happy to teach you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Copeland. I’d like that very much.”
“First Mr. Copeland, now Lady Lucinda, I’m going to be sacked for sure,” Agnes mumbled as she wandered to the next cow in need.
Caleb readily admitted that he’d misjudged ladies and misses of society when he’d first visited London. He understood now what he hadn’t then: ladies must always be guarded and circumspect in their behavior and words because gossips could be vicious. He’d learned that many were not as they seemed when away from the eyes of the ton. However, none of them made him smile like Lady Lucinda. Nor had he ever wanted to spend time with anyone like he did her. And his respect only grew when she stepped into the dairy.
Lady Lucinda walked over and looked over the cow, the stool, and the bucket. “Shall we?”
He gestured for her to settle on the stool, then knelt behind her and began instructions on how to grasp the teat to draw the milk out. When she struggled, Caleb reached around her, placing his hands about hers, so she could feel how to squeeze, the motion and correct pressure.
As much as he enjoyed being this close to Lady Lucinda, it was impossible to ignore her soft scent of citrus and the tickling of her midnight curls beneath his nose.
Once she finally understood and could milk the cow on her own, Caleb pulled away, though he wished he could have kept his arms around her. He wasn’t here for Lady Lucinda and she had lords waiting to be chosen.
Jealousy shot through him, knowing that one of the eight remaining lords would have the honor of holding and loving Lady Lucinda in the future.
Seven
Blast! She shouldn’t have learned so quickly because as soon as Mr. Copeland pulled away, Lucinda nearly lost interest in milking the poor cow.
Goodness! No gentleman had ever held her in such a way. Not that he was holding her, as much as he was instructing Lucinda. But it had been very difficult to concentrate on the task at hand with his chest against her back, his strong arms along hers, and his hands, encompassing hers.
It was a shame that he hadn’t been invited to court her, but Mr. Copeland had made it clear that he was only here for his great-aunts.
And, though she wished to be back in his arms, Lucinda continued to help milk the cows, well pleased with what she’d learned and accomplished, and was quite happy when she returned to the manor to break her fast.
“Will you be joining us, Mr. Copeland?” She’d yet to see him at any meal.
“I will eat after I’ve helped young Kenny and Jimmy see to the horses.”
She frowned. “Are you wishing to avoid us?” Was that why he was doing chores about the estate? Did he not want to be here?
He bowed. “I am but a humble servant, Lady Lucinda, who finds himself more comfortable with horses, cows, hunting and chopping wood than I do with leaping lords.” He finished with a wink.
“I can help in the stables,” she offered, as she didn’t want to return inside and be forced to spend time with the lords either.
“Lady Lucinda, this is where you’ve gone,” Lord K called, exiting the manor from the parlor.
“I was just going to come in and break my fast,” Lucinda replied. She had asked that Mr. K be her morning visit as she wanted him gone from Forester Hall. Thankfully, her father agreed, especially after he was found standing along the cliffs again early this morning, spyglass in hand, as he had done the day before. He was too nosey by half, and they did have smugglers to protect.
Caleb was just coming from the woods, carrying a rifle and a bag of pheasants that Cook had requested when he noted Lord K entering a carriage as a footman strapped his trunk to the back.
One more lord gone, leaving seven vying for Lady Lucinda’s hand.
He hadn’t hunted without permission, but sought it from the Head Gamekeeper, who was grateful for the assistance and told Caleb where he should hunt. Like all the other servants, the under-keepers were still in Laswell under quarantine, and he needed to make certain there was enough game for the guests during the house party.
As Caleb reached the back of the manor, Lady Lucinda breezed out the door and glanced around. A smile brightened on her face when she saw him and came forward.
“Have you been enjoying your day, Mr. Copeland?”
“I have, very much.”
“What is in the bag?”
“Pheasant.”
“Are there any talents you are without, Mr. Copeland?”
“There are many, I can assure you.” He laughed. “I see that Lord K has vacated the manor.”
Lady Lucinda wrinkled her nose. “He would not do. Neither my father, my oldest brother Wesley, nor I appreciated him sneaking around.”
Caleb had only seen him at the top of
the cliffs. Then he frowned. “I wasn’t aware Lord Epworth was in residence.”
“He’s in the dower house with his wife. They didn’t want to be in the manor with all the guests.”
Caleb had noted the cottage and wondered who was living there.
“As I told you, none of my siblings wished to be present and found reasons to be elsewhere.”
“My siblings would have probably abandoned me as well,” he admitted.
“I wish you would have joined us for luncheon.”
“I would not think to sully your court with my presence.” As much as he was coming to adore Lady Lucinda, she was the daughter of a duke and he was a mister from New Orleans and was aware of the hierarchy of Society. It didn’t matter that his brother would one day be a duke. It mattered that Caleb would not be.
“You would be a welcome relief to the tedium, I can assure you.”
He’d witnessed some of the fawning when he was about, not that he remained for long. He didn’t have the patience. Nor could he bring himself to behave in that manner.
“Perhaps at a later time,” he offered, but would make no commitment. In truth, Caleb wanted her all to himself without having to compete with lords better suited to marry the daughter of a duke. As there was nothing he could offer Lady Lucinda, he’d kept his distance no matter how much he was drawn to her.
What he also knew, with complete certainty, was that none of her leaping lords would ever make her happy.
“Then I suppose that it is up to me to find you when I tire of them.”
“I’m certain you have more entertaining options available,” he suggested, though he was glad not to be included with the others in this instance.
“I can assure you, there is little to hold my interest as my grandmother keeps with your aunts when not required to chaperone and my father locks himself away in the library, so there is little for me to do.” She tilted her head. “Though, I could visit my sister-in-law, Miranda, but Wesley would only make me leave as I’m to be here, not there.”
“Is it so difficult, being around them?” Caleb asked quietly as the two strolled to the Head Gamekeeper’s cottage. Beside it was a smoke house and barn where he slaughtered and dressed the game.
“Not for short periods of time, I suppose.” She sighed. “But none of them seem to be able to listen.” Then she went on to describe being ignored when she didn’t wish for a shawl, or didn’t wish for tea, or didn’t wish to play a game of Whist. “Most behave as if they know what I need better than I do. It’s all quite aggravating if you must know.”
The Head Gamekeeper stepped out of the smoke house. “Lady Lucinda.” He offered a slight bow. “I’d not seen you in these parts before.”
She glanced around. “No, I suppose not, as I’ve not had cause to visit.”
“Is there anything I can get for you?”
“No, nothing. I was simply accompanying Mr. Copeland.”
Caleb held out the sack to the Head Gamekeeper. “I hope these will suffice.” He then also handed over the rifle as he’d not need it further.
“Yes. Thank you.”
“If you need me to hunt again, I’m happy to do so.”
“Only if you wish to participate in the activity, as you are a guest of the manor.” The Head Gamekeeper quickly glanced to Lady Lucinda. “Mr. Copeland asked to be of assistance, Lady Lucinda. I did not ask it of him.”
“I’m well aware of how Mr. Copeland has been assisting about the estate.” She laughed. “If our guests wish to hunt, then they shall hunt.”
They turned to make their way back to the manor. “I do wish you’d join us for luncheon, Mr. Copeland.”
For a moment, he almost agreed, but then recalled who would also share the table with him and declined the offer. Lady Lucinda had much more patience with the pompous asses that remained, and Caleb feared he might overstep again, as he’d done with the removal of Lord E, not that he was sorry for having done so.
Eight
It was Lord H who got on her last nerve. Because it had been decreed that she’d spend time with each gentleman individually, she’d been forced to listen to an ode to her eyes and then one to her hair. Lucinda stopped him before he could read any more of his poems.
She nearly begged him to share with her his interests, passions, what he liked to do for pleasure, only to learn that all of his time would be spent devoted to her as he was wealthy enough that he need not do anything else.
That statement frightened Lucinda nearly as much as when Lord E forced her back on the settee.
She hated to ask him to leave and may have glimpsed a watering in his eyes, but Lucinda could not keep him until the end. They would never suit. However, no sooner had she exited the parlor than was she called into the library by her father. There she was informed that she’d ask no further gentlemen to leave unless under extreme circumstances, such as the behavior Lord E had exhibited and when Lord K became too interested in the possibility of smuggling.
The idea of four and a half more days with these gentlemen made Lucinda want to scream, but she’d do what was requested as she knew that when this house party came to an end, she would be free of all of them.
The only person she would miss, however, was Mr. Copeland. Even though she’d asked him to join them on many occasions, he kept his distance. Was it because he did not like her?
Lucinda didn’t think that was the case, as he seemed happy when she appeared.
She paused in the corridor outside the library and had to consider that not only did Mr. Copeland not visit with the other gentlemen but perhaps he avoided her as well. Each time she’d encountered him, it was because she’d gone looking. Yet, he seemed genuinely happy for her company, unless he was just being polite.
Oh, she wished she knew for certain which it was because she very much liked him, and so much more than any of the other guests.
Unable to shake the feeling that he didn’t care for her, Lucinda quickly checked the time to note that she had hours before she must join the others, as she would not be taking part in luncheon today. And after retrieving her pelisse, bonnet and gloves, Lucinda set out to find Mr. Copeland again. She’d search the entire estate if necessary, but she would find him and hopefully learn if he was simply being polite or if he enjoyed her company as well.
When the Head Gamekeeper suggested that he may want to fish on the lake located at the back of the estate, Caleb quickly took him up on the offer. It was a favorite pastime and one of the less physical pursuits he enjoyed. It also placed him further away from the manor and less likely to encounter Lady Lucinda.
He’d dreamt of her last night. Caleb couldn’t remember when he’d ever dreamed of a woman, but he dreamed of her.
It was his own fault. Even though he tried to avoid all gatherings, he was sometimes present at a distance, where he could observe. When Lady Lucinda was annoyed, her smile was tight, and she developed a slight crease at the left side of her mouth. However, when she was genuinely happy, laughing, her smile was bright with a dimple on the right, and her grey eyes turned almost silver. But, as much as he’d like to be with her, he did not belong with the lords, and it was best that he avoid her. Once he was away from Forester Hall, he would then forget her.
“This is what you do all day, when not stuck with the rest of us.”
Caleb turned. “Lord I?” He still wasn’t certain which letter went with each lord. What he did know was that this gentleman held back and remained quiet as all the others tried to impress Lady Lucinda. Caleb assumed this lord simply waited until the rest were sent on their way and then he’d have her to himself. That is what Caleb would do.
“Camdyn Oaks, Earl of Irvine,” he introduced himself. “Do you have another pole?”
Caleb handed him one with a frown. “Shouldn’t you be courting Lady Lucinda?”
Irvine let out a sigh as he baited the hook. “To tell you the truth, I’m here because of my father.”
A father has so much power?
“He is the one who wants the match with Lady Lucinda. And as beautiful as she is, my heart belongs to a Scottish lass.”
“Then why are you here and not in Scotland?” Lady Lucinda asked.
They both turned then stood as she approached.
“My apologies. I meant no disrespect,” Irvine was quick to say.
“You’ve nothing to apologize for, Lord I…Irvine.” She smiled. “If you fear breaking my heart, you should know my father, most likely with the help of my grandmother, determined the guest list. I had no part in who was chosen.”
“I’d not realized.”
“It appears we are both doing what our fathers wish,” she acknowledged. “If your heart belongs elsewhere, why are you here?” she asked.
“She’s not the daughter of a duke,” Irvine answered honestly.
“Tell me about her.” Lady Lucinda settled down between Caleb and Irvine as if she were interested. “And while you do, Mr. Copeland will teach me how to fish.” She grinned, her silver eyes shining as a dimple peeked at him. Lady Lucinda was a joy, something he’d never thought about another woman in his life.
“I’ve a better idea.” Irvine stood. “I’ll tell you about Miss Sheena MacGregor another day.” He then handed his fishing pole to Lady Lucinda. “I think it’s more important that I return, and you take your time away from the others.”
Why would Irvine leave the two of them alone? Caleb was certain he’d given none of his feelings away, nor had Lady Lucinda indicated she cared for him other than perhaps as a companion who could teach her things.
“Unless you’d like me to pack my trunk and leave.”
“Father won’t let me send anyone else away,” she answered, “But you can tell me all about Miss MacGregor when we have our time together.”
He laughed. “When will that be?”
“When I can no longer stand to be with any of the others.”
He chuckled and bowed. “I await at your leisure, Lady Lucinda.”
