by Jane Charles
Three and a half days, that is all she needed to endure. While she would be happy to see all the lords take their leave, her heart wasn’t so eager for Mr. Copeland to do so.
Maybe she could suggest to her grandmother that perhaps the sisters Tilson extend their visit, to spend more time with her of course. If that were the case, then Mr. Copeland wouldn’t leave either since he was their escort.
Yes, that was exactly what Lucinda would do, then she could have more time with him without the interference of others. Well, other than her family, as they would be returning home, but Lucinda could deal with them well enough.
“For our game this afternoon, we are going to play The Aviary,” Lady Joanna announced with glee. “I will be the Birdman.”
The gentlemen shared a look and a few groaned. It was a game for when there were equal numbers of men and women.
“We are going to change it a bit, however.”
After the rules were explained, Lady Lucinda whispered her new favorite bird and took her seat, then waited for the others to do so.
“We will only be pleading a heart and telling a secret,” Lady Joanna announced. “Here are the birds who have been listed.” After she read through, she glanced about the room. “Who wishes to pledge their heart to the canary?”
Lord I stood.
“That would be my sister, Lady Priscilla.”
He crossed the room and knelt before her and proclaimed himself, then returned to his seat.
Lady Joanna then read through the names of other birds, to which nobody responded. “Who wishes to pledge their heart to the mourning dove?”
In a blink, each gentleman was on his feet, save Lord I and Mr. Copeland. Lucinda also stood.
“I know for certain that Lady Lucinda favors that bird,” one of them insisted.
“I did at one time,” she answered, much to their surprise. Another has taken its place.”
“If not Lady Lucinda, then who is the mourning dove?”
“Mr. Copeland,” Lady Joanna laughed.
“I’m not pledging my heart to him,” someone said as each gentleman took their seat. They were refusing to play by the rules but Lucinda crossed the room and pledged her heart to Mr. Copeland. She had no idea if that was truly his favorite bird or chose it simply because of their discussion the evening before.
“As nobody has chosen Lady Lucinda’s bird and only Mr. Copeland is left, can you guess which bird belongs to Lady Lucinda?”
With confidence, Mr. Copeland stood. “The parrot, unfortunately.”
Lucinda couldn’t help but laugh and was thrilled that he, and only he, knelt before her.
Oh, if only he truly wished to pledge his heart to her then she’d be the happiest lady in the room.
Caleb made no friends among the gentlemen who remained at Forester Hall, save Lord I, nor was he bothered by the fact, as he much preferred Lord I when he was not in the presence of Lady Lucinda. However, he still couldn’t decide who would win in the end, not that any of them were worthy of her.
Further, he gained no additional information, at least nothing His Grace had hoped Caleb would learn by being a part of the gatherings and joining the gentlemen in the billiards room. In fact, they went out of their way not to include him.
In the days that remained, Caleb continued to help in the dairy and in the stables before breaking his fast, then he found a reason to be within the manor in hopes of seeing Lady Lucinda, or to position himself near the parlor in the event she felt the need to stomp out after meeting with a suitor. Unfortunately, he only saw her during the group gatherings and at meals and found he missed the times she’d sought him out.
Of course, it was to be expected. They’d shared a few stolen moments, a kiss and an evening of laughter, but he always knew that he’d not be the one chosen even though when he had pledged his heart during that silly game, it had been the truth. He knew she’d only chosen the mourning dove simply because she didn’t wish to pledge to any other gentleman in the room.
And now, their time at Forester Hall was at an end. Caleb was packed and once the announcement was made, he’d seen that the carriage was readied so that he could escort his great-aunts home. It was best that they leave immediately because he didn’t want to linger and be forced to watch Lady Lucinda with her chosen leaping lord.
As the hour drew near when she would choose, Caleb stood in the same place he had that first day, in the gallery that looked down into the parlor below. Lined in a row were Lord A, Lord B, Lord C, Lord G, Lord H and Lord I. Her Grace and Caleb’s three great-aunts were seated and waiting. Lady Lucinda had not yet joined them.
It was fitting that he should end where he began, looking down on the gentlemen and the lady who would never be his, but Caleb couldn’t regret these ten days and he’d never forget Lady Lucinda and the bit of joy she brought. There was nobody else like her, and not one of the gentlemen would ever appreciate her humor, joy and forthrightness, among the many personality traits he’d come to adore.
Fifteen
Lucinda had made her choice. However, she wasn’t certain of his response. If he declined, then she supposed her father would then ask the next ten gentlemen on the list, who would come to be known as Lords M through V, and so on until there was finally someone she truly wanted, the way she wanted the only man she could ever choose.
Her father waited at the entry. It was the first time he’d willingly walked into a room where the lords gathered. To her knowledge, not one of them had been successful in meeting him for a private audience, though many had tried, in an attempt to get his agreement without Lucinda having any opinion on the matter.
It had come to the point that the butler had assigned a footman to stand guard outside of the library so that nobody could interrupt Father.
“I’ll be glad to move freely about my home again.” He winked at her.
“As will I,” she admitted. When not required to be with the others, she’d found places where she’d least likely be discovered. At the beginning, she’d found Mr. Copeland, but as he remained within Forester Hall after that first night that he dined with them, she’d been unable to be alone with him, which had her wondering exactly what he thought of her.
She and her father paused before the six remaining gentlemen.
“Which shall it be?” her father demanded.
She looked them over before her eyes sought out Mr. Copeland, standing in the very place that they’d first met. Was he there because he didn’t think he should be with the others or because he didn’t wish to be considered?
Oh, she wished she knew, but after knowing him, how could she ever consider anyone else.
“Grandmother,” she turned to Her Grace. “Do you remember when you said ‘what use does a gentleman need to be besides being a husband and provider of security’?”
“Yes.”
“After great consideration, I’ve decided that so much more should be considered before entering into a marriage, or even a courtship, and I do believe I’ve found the one who could provide everything my heart desires.”
“Who is it, Lucinda?” her grandmother asked slowly. It was possible that neither her grandmother nor Father would approve of a mister from Louisiana, but that didn’t matter to her. She wished to be happy and could only hope that Mr. Copeland wanted her as much as she wanted him.
“Well?” Her father prompted.
Lucinda looked at her remaining lords, then up. “I choose him.” Lucinda raised her hand and pointed. “I choose Mr. Copeland.”
He, in turn, winked, then bowed. “I am your humble servant.”
At that she snorted. “I must disagree Mr. Copeland, for there is nothing humble about you.”
The gentlemen stared at her, mouths agape, shocked to their Hessians, which she found quite delightful. Only Lord I smiled and offered a slight nod, almost as if he approved.
“He is but a mister,” Lord A blustered.
“An American,” Lord G added with disgust.
; “His uncle is a duke, and his brother will be one day,” Lucinda reminded them, not that she cared.
“He has no wealth, and no estate, what could he possibly offer that we cannot?” Lord C demanded, clearly affronted that he’d not been her first choice.
“I don’t seek riches, or an estate.” She turned to the gentlemen so that they understood. “Mr. Copeland can provide well enough, I suppose.”
“You suppose?” Lord H choked. “You need better care than possibilities.”
Lucinda chuckled. “What I do know, in my heart, is that Mr. Copeland will care for and protect me. I will not starve, as he’ll be able to hunt, skin and prepare a meal. I will not grow cold as he will chop wood, haul coal and keep a fire burning. I will not go thirsty as he doesn’t mind hauling water or milking a cow and if pressed, no doubt he could shear sheep and teach me how to weave if I need clothing.”
“It is not necessary that a husband do any of those things. We have estates, riches, and servants.”
Lucinda snorted. “As do we, though it did little good when our servants were prevented from serving.” She took her focus from Mr. Copeland. “If I were to become the wife of one of you, and similar circumstances occurred, most likely I’d freeze, if I didn’t build the fire myself, since not one of you rose to stir the embers that first night.”
“That was a test?” Lord B demanded.
“No, it was not. And we certainly did not plan for the circumstances in which we found ourselves. However, it did offer further insight into each one of you.” She looked back at Mr. Copeland, still unsure of what his answer would be to her pronouncement. “He could have enjoyed the same comforts as each of you, yet, he realized that we were severely understaffed and helped where he saw a need. Meanwhile, the six of you slept late while he was milking cows and tending to the horses. While you were drinking and playing billiards into the night, he slept because he needed to rise early to be of assistance again.”
“If you had but asked us, Lady Lucinda,” Lord C began.
“We did not ask him. He took it upon himself,” she clarified. “In fact, we told him his assistance was not necessary, yet he continued because he saw the need. A need the rest of you did not even acknowledge or perhaps even realize as you probably have no idea what it takes to keep an estate running smoothly so that your comforts are not disturbed.”
She turned back to Caleb. “This man has won not only my affection, but my heart and one day, I hope to hold his as well.”
At that, Caleb placed a hand on his chest. “My dear, Lady Lucinda, you already do.”
Caleb couldn’t believe she had chosen him. She wasn’t supposed to choose him, yet he was happy it had been him.
Happy didn’t begin to describe the emotion that rushed through him. Elation, perhaps.
Instead of rushing to the parlor to join her, as he wished to do, Caleb remained above as the others took their leave, admiring not only her beauty, but convictions.
She was to be his.
He glanced to His Grace. But only if her father allowed it, which might very well be a rejection, and he must prepare himself for being denied the only thing he ever wanted in England.
“Please, join us, Mr. Copeland,” Her Grace called as the last of the leaping lords left the parlor.
Now was the time of reckoning, and as Caleb took the stairs, he prepared himself to hear the words that the match was not possible.
“Are you certain, Lucinda,” her father was asking as Caleb entered the parlor.
“If he shall have me.”
“I knew it!” Aunt Priscilla clapped her hands.
“Didn’t we tell you, Hester?” Aunt Esther added.
“Yes, you did, and I’m so very glad you were correct.” Her Grace laughed.
He knew his great-aunts had been up to something when they insisted he accompany them, but even they should have known it was impossible for him to compete with lords who would inherit titles, wealth and estates.
Yet, here he was.
“We know Caleb, and we’ve known Lady Lucinda since birth, and we knew that once they met, they’d realize how perfect they are for one another,” Aunt Joanna explained.
“Then why not simply invite him directly without making me endure ten loathsome lords?” Lady Lucinda demanded.
“Because I’d already invited the lords before the sisters Tilson suggested their nephew,” Her Grace answered.
“Something needed to be done because you weren’t making a match on your own,” her father added.
“We feared that if you didn’t meet him now, you might never, as he plans to sail for Louisiana in the spring.”
He was no longer certain of the future he’d planned for himself. Lucinda might not wish to leave England and did he really wish to return home without her?
It was something he’d not considered.
Which was more important? And, as his eyes met hers, he knew the answer in a moment.
“Where shall you live?” Her Grace asked in alarm.
“England,” Caleb answered at the same time Lucinda said Louisiana.
He couldn’t believe that his life had been turned on its ear in a matter of ten days, but Caleb had no complaints and his future was suddenly brighter than it had been since he first stepped foot on the shores of England.
As His Grace crossed to the sideboard and began pouring glasses of wine, Lady Lucinda drew to Caleb’s side. He asked the one question that still lingered. “Is this truly what you want or am I only preferable over the others?”
“I’ve only known you a short time, but you’re the first gentleman I’ve respected, outside of family. From there, my heart grew to care deeply.” The corners of her kissable lips tipped. “I daresay, you’ve stolen my heart and I might very well love you.”
He turned to face her fully, taking her hands in his. “I didn’t even think you’d consider me, given I have nothing to offer you, and I am but a mister.”
Her smile slipped as her eyebrows drew together. “A title does not make a man, Mr. Copeland.”
“You’ll accept me as I am?” he asked.
“If you’ll accept me as well.” She stared into his eyes, as if searching. “Did you mean what you said, or did you simply not wish to reject me in front of the others?”
He hadn’t meant to worry her. “I’ve no intention of rejecting you, Lucinda, for you wiggled your way into my heart as well.” He leaned forward, his forehead nearly touching hers, wishing that he could kiss her, but his aunts, her father and grandmother were also in the room. “I didn’t even entertain the hope that I could be chosen.”
Lucinda blew out the breath she’d been holding.
“You have also captured my heart, Lucinda, and I’m leaving its care to you.”
“And I’ll care for it as much as I hope you care for mine.”
Historical Romances by Jane Charles
The Tenacious Trents
Compromised for Christmas
A Misguided Lord
A Perfect Gentleman
A Lass for Christmas
A Reluctant Rake
Lady Revealed
Lady Disguised
Lady Concealed
A Tenacious Trents Wedding
Lady Admired
Tenacious Trent Connected Novellas
Landing a Laird
Devil in Her Dreams
Heart to the Scot
Courting the Scot
Kissing the Lass
Once Upon a Midnight Masquerade
Mistletoe, Whisky and a Rogue
The Other Trents
The Forgotten Marquess
The Spirited Storms
Christmas Spirits
Weathering Captain Storm
Ruined by a Lady
A Very Merry Viscount
Lady Hannah’s Holiday
Muses
Her Muse, Lord Patrick
Her Muse, Her Magic
Her Muse, Her David
Her Muse, His Grace<
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Magic & Mayhem
Her Gypsy Lord
His Mistletoe Miss
A Spirited Courtship (Beguiled at the Wedding)
The Ghost & Miss Miranda (coming soon)
The Claxtons
Lady Lucinda’s Lords
The Wiggons’ School for Elegant Young Ladies Series
To Walk in the Sun
Ghosts from the Past
The Witching Hour
Curse of the Mayfair Mummy
A Gentleman’s Guide to Once Upon a Time Series
His Impetuous Debutante
His Contrary Bride
His (Not so) Sensible Miss
His Christmas Match
Garden Brides
Lily, One Lord’s Temptation
Contemporary Romances by Jane Charles
The Baxter Boys ~ Rattled
Rattled
Still Rattled
Rattle His Cage
All Horns & Rattles
Shake, Rattle and Roll
Rattling Around
The Christmas Rattle
Slightly Rattled
The Rattle Box
Baxter Academy of Art
Colors of You
Shadows of Memory
Casting Doubt
Between the Lines
Baxter Legacy
Valentine Wishes
About Jane
Jane Charles is a USA Today Bestselling author who has lived in the Midwest her entire life. As a child she would more likely be found outside with a baseball than a book in her hand. In fact, Jane hated reading until she was sixteen. Out of boredom on a long road trip she borrowed her older sister’s historical romance and fell in love with reading. She long ago lost count of how many novels she has read over the years and her love for them never died. Along with romance she has a passion for history and the two soon combined when she penned her first historical romance. What turned into a hobby became a passion. In addition to historical romances, she has been pulled to write contemporary romances and intends to continue writing both historical and contemporary.
