Lady Lucinda's Lords: Tenth Day of Christmas: (Observations of a Wallflower) (12 Days of Christmas Book 10)

by Jane Charles

  Nine

  Lucinda had to nearly search the entire estate before she found Mr. Copeland at the lake. To hear Lord I admit that he loved another was a welcome relief. While he was handsome and didn’t write horrid poetry or condescend to her, he also hadn’t interacted with anyone either. She overheard him say more to Mr. Copeland than anyone else since he’d arrived.

  What surprised her, was that Lord I had left her alone with Mr. Copeland, not that Lucinda had any complaints. She needed to determine why Mr. Copeland avoided her.

  The hook was already baited so Lucinda cast the line and then settled back. It would take no time before a fish took the bait since this lake wasn’t used for entertainment but simply kept stocked for menu requirements.

  Mr. Copeland raised a surprised eyebrow. “I take it that you have fished before.”

  “I’ve cast a line, but that is all.”

  “What else is there to fishing?”

  “The baiting the hook.” She wrinkled her nose. “The removing the fish from the line. Those parts I’ve not learned, nor do I wish to.”

  “Shouldn’t you be with your guests?” he asked.

  “Are you trying to get rid of me?” she countered.

  “I would never attempt to do so,” he assured her. “However, there are six gentlemen remaining who wish to win your hand.”

  None of them mattered, only Mr. Copeland, except he’d done everything possible not to participate in any activities and never joined them for meals. Was it just her that he wished to avoid, or everyone? Did she dare ask?

  “Lady Lucinda, your grandmother requests your presence in the manor.”

  She turned to find Warren, the butler, emerge from the path. It must be important if he’d come all this way because Warren rarely left the manor.

  “Your presence is also requested, Mr. Copeland,” Warren added.

  Mr. Copeland blinked. “Mine? By whom?”

  “Your aunts and Her Grace.”

  “Please tell them that I’ll be along as soon as I’ve returned the fish and poles to the Head Gamekeeper.”

  “I’ll see to the task. Neither of you should keep Her Grace waiting.”

  Caleb handed the poles off to the impeccably dressed, stern and firm butler, wondering if the man had ever held a fishing pole in his life, or even fished. “There are fish in the net within the water.”

  “Very good, Mr. Copeland. I’ll see everything returned.”

  Caleb turned to Lady Lucinda. “Then I suppose I shall escort you back to the manor.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Copeland.” She glanced up at him. “This afternoon we are visiting the chapel ruins if you wish to join us.”

  “I believe my place is here, but I thank you for the invitation.” As much as he’d enjoy spending more time with Lady Lucinda, he knew it wasn’t wise, though he’d not discourage her when she wished to fish. Was it because she was hiding from her lords or because she wished to be with him? If she were hiding, she certainly could have found a place closer than the far edges of the estate. So, why had she come to the lake?

  “I’d enjoy your company,” she insisted.

  “And I yours, but I shall not intrude on your visits with the lords your father invited.” He needed to remind himself that the only reason he was here was because he’d accompanied his great-aunts, even though, more and more he wished that he could spend time with the silver-eyed, brunette beauty.

  “It’s not an intrusion if I invite you.” She slipped her hand into the crook of his arm and drew close.

  “It is for the gentlemen who are here to court you,” he reminded her.

  With a sigh, Lady Lucinda withdrew from him. “That’s it then. I have my answer.”

  “To what question?” He wasn’t certain there’d been a question.

  “That you have no interest in me.”

  Did she have an interest in him? It was too much to hope for and Caleb stopped. “Is that what you wish?”

  She turned. “I shan’t humiliate myself in answering.” For the first time, her eyes lost the silver glint and changed to a dull grey.

  “You understand that even if I wished to further our acquaintance, it is not possible,” he reminded her.

  To which she fisted her hands and anchored them on her hips. “Why is it not?” she demanded in a ducal tone that he’d not heard from her previously.

  “Your father invited lords to win your hand,” he explained what she should already know. “I accompanied my aunts, as an escort.”

  “That does not mean you cannot join us,” she argued.

  “I believe your father would feel differently, Lady Lucinda.” That was the reason he’d kept his distance. A duke would want a lord for his daughter. Caleb didn’t have a title or even an estate. He had absolutely nothing that he could offer, no matter how much he wished otherwise.

  She studied him, a tilt of her head and eyes narrowed. “Are you saying that if my father had invited you, that you’d attempt to court me as well?”

  “Yes,” Caleb answered before he considered his words. He should have never admitted such, as it was pointless given the situation and the difference of their worlds.

  Lady Lucinda slowly smiled, the dimple making an appearance on her cheek as she stepped forward.

  What was she about and why was he suddenly frightened? She was a lady who was probably used to getting what she wanted, but she couldn’t have him.

  Caleb resisted the urge to take a step back, but realized that he should have when her breasts came in contact with his chest and she raised herself up as she looped her arms about his neck and pulled him forward. He could have resisted but had no desire to do so as she brought his lips to hers.

  The kiss was quick and sweet and then she was gone. An instant later her cheeks blossomed into a lovely shade of rose.

  “Why did you do that?”

  “Because my first kiss was revolting, and I wished to replace that memory with one from someone I liked and admired.”

  His chest and heart expanded knowing that she admired him. What man didn’t wish to be admired by a beautiful, delightful lady. Then he realized what she’d said. “First kiss?”

  “Yes, Lord E.” She gave a disgusted shiver. “It was quite horrid if you must know.”

  He couldn’t believe that she’d not been kissed before. Were English gentlemen blind? “And how did you find our kiss?” Not that it was much of one, just a quick pressing of the lips.

  “Perfectly pleasing.” She nodded as if she approved.

  However, Caleb wasn’t certain he liked his kisses being described as such. “Is that all you require?”

  She blinked at him. “In comparison, I most certainly do. At least you didn’t slobber all over my face.”

  The chuckle rose from within as he came to realize how inept Lord E was at kissing. “Neither the one you received from Lord E, nor what we just shared was a truly proper kiss.” He shouldn’t kiss her at all but escort her directly to the manor, but Lady Lucinda needed to know that she could experience so much more than perfectly pleasing.

  Lady Lucinda frowned. “I don’t understand.”

  “It’s better demonstrated than explained.”

  He wrapped an arm about her waist and drew her close. Placing a finger beneath her chin to tilt her face toward him, Caleb kissed her once again. His lips lingered, the pressure a bit firmer than she demonstrated. Lady Lucinda tilted her head and he brushed against the seam of her lips. When she slightly parted, he delved, but not too deeply at first as he didn’t wish to scare her. Lady Lucinda grasped his shoulders and opened further. He tasted and took, she joined, their mouths mating as his passion rose.

  “Excuse me, Lady Lucinda, but your grandmother awaits.”

  Lady Lucinda and Caleb jumped apart as if scalded by the other.

  Just beyond on the path stood Warren, completely unaffected by what he’d witnessed.

  Lady Lucinda’s face had also gone from rose to crimson and Caleb suspected his wasn’t
much different given the heat in his cheeks.

  “Yes, of course,” she stammered. “I will attend her immediately.” She then rushed off, leaving Caleb standing alone.

  “Your aunts, Mr. Copeland,” Warren reminded.

  He’d completely forgotten that he’d been summoned as well. “Yes.” He started for the manor, then stopped and turned. “About what you may have witnessed…” How did he ask the butler to remain silent? He worked for Lady Lucinda’s father.

  “Witnessed, Mr. Copeland?” He blinked and frowned.

  He must have seen them kissing, hadn’t he, but Caleb didn’t wish to ask.

  “You should hurry, Mr. Copeland. You’ve dallied long enough.”

  Damn and blast. It wasn’t right that he ask the butler to hold his tongue, and he could only hope that nobody learned and he wasn’t brought to task for taking liberties that he had no right to take.

  Ten

  Lucinda hurried down the path, trying to catch her breath, her head reeling from what had just occurred. She had simply wanted a kiss, to determine Mr. Copeland’s reaction, hoping that he might wish to kiss her as well. What she’d not been prepared for was the heating of her body, the tightening of her breasts, dizziness and weakening of her knees. Goodness, until that moment, she’d been convinced that kissing was one of the most unpleasant activities a couple participated in. Mr. Copeland had proven that theory completely wrong.

  Goodness, if Warren hadn’t come upon them, how long would they have stood there, kissing?

  Lucinda’s eyes widened. Warren! What if he told her father? Would Mr. Copeland be asked to leave as well? She’d need to make certain that didn’t happen given Lord E had forced his kiss on Lucinda, whereas she’d welcomed Mr. Copeland’s, and she’d welcome it again and again.

  “Where have you been?” her grandmother demanded when she entered the parlor.

  “Out walking. Enjoying the fine day.”

  “You’ll get plenty of exercise on your visit to the ruins,” her grandmother reminded her.

  Lucinda frowned. “We aren’t riding?”

  “We do not have the servants to saddle and care for the horses, and I doubt the lords would be of much assistance in brushing them upon your return. Therefore, you shall walk.”

  Lucinda nodded. She’d made the walk many times and it wasn’t a bother, though she wondered how her leaping lords would feel about venturing so far on foot and couldn’t help but smile in anticipation of their complaints. It was a shame Mr. Copeland refused to join them for she was certain he’d not mind and might enjoy the outing.

  “What I’d like to know is why you keep disappearing when you know we have guests.”

  “You’ve declared when I must be present, and I have participated in the individual conversations, meals and afternoon group activities. Those are trying enough that I don’t wish to endure the attention of your guests more than required.

  “Ah, Mr. Copeland. So good of you to join us.” Her grandmother nodded to behind Lucinda who turned to note Mr. Copeland standing just within the entrance.

  “I was sent for, by my great-aunts.” He took in the room. “However, I can wait in the corridor until you’ve finished meeting with Lady Lucinda.”

  “This involves you as well.”

  Lucinda’s stomach tightened. It wasn’t possible that Warren had reported her already. Had someone else seen them and rushed in to report to her grandmother?

  “I demand to know why you’ve not participated in the activities provided our other guests.”

  “I am not a guest in the same sense as those who were invited for the purpose of courting Lady Lucinda.”

  “I’ve tried to explain that I’d welcome his presence,” Lucinda insisted. “He doesn’t wish to join us.”

  “I’m here simply to escort my great-aunts back home.” He gave a partial bow.

  “Lucinda, the gentlemen await in the entry. Your maid is waiting to accompany you,” her father barked as he entered the parlor. “Please see to them before they come to bother me.”

  She turned to Mr. Copeland.

  “Enjoy your outing,” he offered politely, much to her disappointment. After the way that he’d kissed her, she’d hoped that he’d decide to accompany her.

  “Yes, well, I’m certain some of them will.”

  With that, she turned on her heel and marched from the room.

  If it were just Lady Lucinda and her maid, Caleb would have gladly joined her. But upon seeing her lords gathered and waiting, he was reminded that he was not at Forester Hall for the same purpose as the others.

  Why had he kissed her? It didn’t matter that she’d first kissed him, but he shouldn’t have pulled her close and kissed her again, properly, the way a lady should be kissed. It was something that would haunt him, and he would have been better off not knowing the feel of her lips, the hint of mint on her breath, or the way her breasts felt pressed against his chest. The way she molded her body to his was near perfection, and she’d never be his.

  “If that will be all.” Caleb started to leave.

  “No, that will not be all,” Her Grace ordered.

  He swallowed as his throat tightened. Had he offended somehow? Nobody should know about the kiss and it was Lady Lucinda who sought him out.

  “You are a guest, Mr. Copeland,” she began. “Yet, you behave as a servant.”

  “I’m simply being of assistance during my stay in your home.”

  At the close of the front door, His Grace strode further into the parlor. “Thank God the lot of them are gone and I can freely move about in my own home without tripping over one of them hoping for an audience.” His Grace marched to the sideboard and poured a glass of brandy. He then glanced at Caleb and poured another. “Join us.”

  With reluctance, Caleb accepted the glass, uncertain what to expect.

  “I do thank you for chopping wood, milking cows, mucking stalls, hunting and fishing.”

  Caleb blinked at him.

  “I may avoid my guests, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know exactly what is occurring on my estate.”

  Caleb resisted the urge to pull at his cravat. Had the butler gone to His Grace and warned him that Caleb had taken liberties?

  His Grace settled into a winged back chair and gestured to another. “Please sit.”

  “Thank you,” Caleb mumbled and prepared to be taken to task.

  “What is your opinion of the remaining gentlemen?”

  That was not a question Caleb was expecting. “I’ve no opinion.”

  His Grace snorted. “I’m certain that you do but are too polite to speak ill of them.”

  “It is not my place to have an opinion, Your Grace.”

  He studied Caleb. “I am making it your place.”

  Caleb drew back.

  “It’s clear you have no interest in my daughter or you would have joined the others instead of keeping busy in other areas of the estate, therefore I trust that your judgement will not be biased.”

  He wanted to argue that his interest was deep, but knew it was best to keep his secrets to himself.

  “Let me see, who remains?” His Grace took a sip of the brandy as he thought. “Lord A, pompous ass. Lord B, the snobbish prig, Lord C, couldn’t dress himself, let alone care for a wife. Lord G, condescending pedant. Lord H is an unaware ninny. Who is left?” His Grace took another sip of his brandy.

  “Lord I,” Her Grace offered.

  “Ah, he is not a concern. He is doing his father’s bidding but has no wish to marry my daughter.”

  Caleb blinked at him. How could he possibly know? That conversation had taken place only a short time ago and nobody else was about.

  “I’m keeping him on to keep the others wondering.” He grinned and sipped again. “Mr. Copeland, you will no longer avoid the gatherings. You will attend meals, afternoon entertainments, and I would like you to join the gentlemen when they gather in the billiards room each evening.”

  He’d rather not, but as His Grace wa
s asking, Caleb had little choice. “May I ask why?”

  “They will speak more freely in your presence than they will in front of me or my daughter.”

  “Then the evenings should suffice.” That way he’d not be near Lady Lucinda and wish for what he could not have.

  “They will be more comfortable if they count you among them, especially if they begin to believe you are part of the competition for her hand.”

  “What would you have me learn, or do you just wish me to befriend them?”

  “I wish for you to be my eyes and ears, and report to me any concerns you might have with regard to them being a proper husband for my daughter.”

  “You wish for me to spy,” Caleb clarified, not at all comfortable with what His Grace was asking of him.

  “I do.”

  Eleven

  Lucinda paused at the threshold leading to the dining room. She was tardy and had asked her maid to tell the others to go in without her. In truth, she’d dallied over her toilette hoping that her headache would subside. The very headache that had been brought on from spending hours with the lords.

  The way a few of them carried on, one had to wonder if they’d ever needed to exert themselves in the past, though several boasted of their time spent at Gentleman Jackson’s. If they could move about in the ring and give or take a beating, then they should also be able to walk nearly a mile without complaint.

  She’d been tempted to cry off and ask for a tray in her room, but was grateful that she hadn’t when she noted Mr. Copeland seated with the others. This was certainly a delightful turn of events and she could only hope that he would finally agree to join them during the various entertainments scheduled over the remaining three days.

  With a smile, she made her way to the empty chair that awaited her, which was always in the middle of the table, and each evening a different lord sat on either side and across from her. Caleb was near the foot of the table seated next to one of his great-aunts.

  “How was the outing today?” her grandmother asked after the first course of the meal was placed before them.