by Fanny Finch
After a moment, he reached forward and picked up a comb. He ran it through his hair, appreciating the way it fell immediately back into place, soft and smooth against his head. It fell in dark waves, accentuating the blue in his eyes.
His best friend, Lord Andrew Kraft of Doonsbury, told him it was a phenomenon that he was not yet married.
“With your looks, my friend, it is simply astounding that you do not yet have a wife. It has been several seasons. You dance with many beautiful ladies. And you have yet to court any of them. What is holding you back, my friend?”
“It is because I am not looking for what others are looking for, Andrew. I seek love and happiness. Not wealth and material things.”
To that, Andrew could only nod. He need not say anything more. Leander knew why he refrained from saying more. He knew it was the truth.
Leander had never been extremely materialistic. He had a spiritual mind that led him to look at things differently than many men of the ton. He knew what was expected of him.
He was supposed to be just like all the other men. Searching for a pretty face and a wealthy family. It was not his style. He was determined to be who he was, despite what his father and others in society thought of it.
With a sigh, he stood up and went to the long closet, opening both doors with a wide swing of both arms. He stared at the suits that hung there, trying to decide what would look best on him. They were all fine suits. He could choose any of them.
“I suppose I’ll go in green,” he murmured, reaching forward to pull out a light green tunic and pair of trousers, both hung on the same hanger. “I am not attempting to impress anyone in particular. I might as well.”
He was hoping that someday, he would be dressing to match the woman of his dreams. A woman he could truly love and enjoy being with. He wanted to talk to his woman as an equal.
Yet he had such a hard time finding that woman, the woman who would produce the perfect heir, be the perfect companion for him. He would find her. Someday, he would find her.
A knock on the door took his attention as he scanned the tunic and trousers. He looked up and called out, “Come in.”
The door opened and his footman, Toby, stuck his head in. He spotted Leander and came in the room, leaving the door halfway open.
“Good afternoon, sir.”
“Good afternoon, Toby. What is it?”
“I am sorry to disturb you, my lord. Your father wishes to speak with you. He is waiting in the parlor.”
Leander held in a sigh. He had a feeling he knew what his father would want. “I will go down in a moment. Stay and talk with me for a spell, Toby. I want to get your opinion on what outfits I should take to Lord Wake’s for the weekend. I will also need you to pack my personal items and make sure I have everything I need. I do not want to ask for anything while I am there.”
“Of course not, my lord. I will pack your usual bag.”
Leander laid the outfit down on the bed and sat down next to it gently, so it would not get ruffled. He set both hands on his knees, locking his elbows and hanging his head.
“Toby, I am just not sure about this weekend party. I know Father is sending me so that I will spend more time with Miss Drusilla. I am having a difficult time making him understand I have no feelings for the woman.”
“Is she too plain for you, my lord?” Toby was used to being blunt with Leander. His lordship had told the footman years before, when he began his service to him, that he was not interested in a footman without a brain or an opinion on anything. He encouraged Toby to speak freely.
“She is not too plain. She has attributes that are attractive. She is just not attractive to me. There is a certain type of woman I am searching for. It is not her.”
“You have mentioned you feel she will embarrass you.”
Leander nodded but said nothing.
“Why is it that your father does not also see this? Is he unaware of her lack of manners and propriety?”
Leander looked away from his footman, staring at his own reflection in the mirror. “I am not sure he is concerning himself with my happiness, Toby. To him, it is my obligation and my responsibility to provide for this family, add wealth and an heir, regardless of how I feel about it. That is to say, how I feel about the woman he chooses for me.”
He shook his head, pushing himself up to his feet. “I do not understand. I fear I never will. I will not do this to my son. He will be allowed to choose a woman of his liking.”
Leander moved his eyes to Toby when the footman did not respond. He noticed the look of doubt on the young man’s face.
“You do not believe me?”
Toby stood stock-still. “It is not that I do not believe you, my lord. I believe that you mean what you say. I also know that situations change when the reality of life comes to pass.”
“Perhaps.” Leander walked to his closet and stared at the variety of outfits hanging there. “Perhaps. But in this situation, I do not see why I would change my mind. It is not my plan to bankrupt my family into needing the money that would be provided by a dowry owed to my son when he marries. He should be free to choose who he loves. I do not wish for him to marry for necessity.”
“I understand, my lord.”
“I want you to go through these outfits. You choose the ones you feel are most appropriate for me. Pack a trunk for me and have it delivered to the coach for this evening. I will leave in three hours, at four o’clock on the dot. Is that clear?”
Toby nodded. “Yes, my lord. Do not worry. You will have a grand time at the party this weekend.”
Leander turned and looked at him with his eyebrows raised. “Do you really think so?”
“I do, my lord.”
“And what makes you think that, might I ask?”
Toby smiled. “Because you are an amiable fellow, a handsome man and compassionate to all the ladies. Even the ones you have no interest in and you are being forced to associate with. I have seen the way you are with Lady Sirey.”
“Miss Drusilla is not a woman of title, Toby. Her father is a merchant. A wealthy merchant. Nonetheless, he holds no title.”
“I apologize. Allow me to correct myself. I have seen you with Miss Sirey and you are always very accommodating. If you are willing to treat her in such a way, I must say I have no doubt you will attract the woman you desire in no time.”
“I appreciate your words of confidence, Toby. I… I suppose I will go to see my father now.”
“He is in the main parlor, my lord. He is waiting for you.”
Leander frowned, pulling down one side of his lips. “Please wait outside while I get dressed, Toby.”
“Of course, my lord.” Toby turned and went back out to the hallway. He turned and closed the door firmly behind him.
Leander knew he was standing just on the other side of the door. He dressed slowly, dreading the conversation he knew he would be having with his father. Lord Price was consistent in his desire for Leander to marry Miss Drusilla, persistent to the point of aggravation.
When he was finally ready, he went to the door and pulled it open. As he thought, Toby was standing on the other side. He nodded at him.
“I will take care of your luggage, my lord,” Toby said. “And good luck with your father.”
“Thank you, Toby. I will need all I can get, I am afraid.”
The two men passed each other as Toby went into the room and Leander left it.
Leander walked down the hallway, again taking as much time as he could. He did not want to get to the parlor any faster than he had to.
He saw the maid, Alice, as he went down the stairs and stopped for a moment.
“Good afternoon, Alice.”
She looked up at him with wide eyes. “Good afternoon, my lord.”
“How are you this day?”
Alice blinked. He could tell she thought she had done something wrong and was about to be reprimanded. When she responded, he could hear the trepidation in her voice. “I am well, sir. A
nd you?”
“Also doing well, thank you. You are working hard. I want you to know it is appreciated.”
The look of surprise and relief on Alice’s face made it hard for Leander to avoid laughing. He knew if he did that, he would scare her half to death.
“Th… thank you, sir.”
“You are welcome. Carry on.”
He continued to the bottom step. He could feel her eyes on the back of his head as he descended. He allowed himself to smile when his back was turned to her. He was sure he had confused her tremendously.
He stopped at the door to the parlor and pulled in a deep breath.
Resigned to his fate, he grabbed the knob and pushed the door open, stepping into the parlor.
He saw his father sitting on one of the large cushioned chairs, a book open in his lap.
He looked up at Leander.
Chapter 4
“Sit down, Leander,” his father said, holding his hand out to the chair opposite him.
Leander did as he was told. His father was not intimidating to him but he had Leander’s full respect. As his son, he tried to do whatever his father instructed. Marrying Miss Drusilla, unfortunately, was something he was going to have to fight. He did not enjoy going up against his father.
As soon as Leander was seated the door to the stairs that led down to the kitchen opened and a maid came through with a tray that held tea and pastries. She brought it over on silent feet, nodding to both the men.
Neither spoke as she poured a cup of tea for Leander and held it out to him. He took it from her. She put two pastries on a small plate and handed that to him. He dropped his eyes to the table, nodding his head once. She set it on the table in between the two men.
“Is there anything else you need, my lord?” She addressed Lord Price, keeping her eyes down.
“No, Priscilla, that will be all for now.”
“Yes, my lord.”
His father waited until the maid left the room before speaking.
“I know you are going to Baron Wake’s house party this weekend. I am glad you are going. I am sure you know why.”
“Yes, I do. You want me to woo Miss Drusilla Sirey. I am fully aware, Father.”
Lord Price gave him a sharp look. “Leander, I do not understand why you are so objectionable about this match. Her father is a wealthy man, a good man of business. He is a decent man who has raised his daughter well.”
Leander shook his head. “While this may be so, Father, I do not love her.”
“You may find that you will love her after a time. It is what happened with your mother and me.”
“I do not think it will be the same for me.”
“It is the best match for you. I have not seen you interested in anyone else.”
“I am not interested in her, either, Father.” Leander tried not to let his contempt be heard in his voice. He did not want to show disrespect to his father. “I must repeat my request that you let me choose a woman of my liking. I am the one who will have to spend the rest of my life with her and…” he shuddered. “Produce an heir with her. Possibly more children. I do want to have several children. And I want to have them with a woman I love and can see myself loving for the rest of my life.”
Lord Price sneered. “You put too much stock in emotions, son. I have had a good life with your mother and our marriage was arranged. You will find that happiness with Miss Drusilla if you open yourself to the idea.”
Leander frowned. He shook his head slightly and took a long swallow from the teacup. He was not thirsty, nor hungry, but he would force himself to partake because his father obviously wanted him to. He hoped the warmth of the tea would help him calm down.
It did not have the desired effect. He felt his heart begin to pound. The anxiety of being forced to spend a weekend with Miss Drusilla following him around like a puppy dog was almost more than he could bear. It made him not want to attend the party at all.
“I cannot express more how little I am interested in courting and marrying the woman.”
“It is the best thing for you, Leander.”
Leander sat in silence for a moment, contemplating the situation. Miss Drusilla, though pretty in the face, was brusque in manner, at times acting in an uncouth way that would surely embarrass him if she was on his arm.
She had a mind that drifted from subject to subject. Her lack of attention made it extremely difficult to hold a conversation with her. On the few occasions they had attempted a conversation, he found himself frustrated and impatient.
In addition, her peculiar smell made him want to hold his breath the entire time she was near him. He did not know what caused it. He did not want to know what caused it.
“Tell me, my son, what is it you find so objectionable?”
Leander did not want to appear ungentlemanly. “She is a lovely woman, I am sure. I cannot speak of her shortcomings, as I have many myself.”
His father smiled. “You see. You are a compassionate man. If you think she is a lovely woman, I am sure you will find it in your heart to love her after you are married.”
Lord Price’s words stung Leander. He could not be honest with his feelings. It was a devastating feeling. He did not want to love her after he was married. He wanted to love his wife before he married her.
“You will be spending time with her this weekend then.” Lord Price spoke as if he could not see his son sitting before him, a disturbed look on his face.
“I will see her there, I am sure.”
“And you will do what is necessary?”
Leander knew his father wanted him to propose marriage to Miss Drusilla. In the times the two had been together, Leander was not given the impression Miss Drusilla was any more taken with him than he was with her.
He perked up a little, an idea forming in his mind. Perhaps if he talked to her directly, they could get it straightened out between both their parents. Surely, she wanted to marry for love, as he did.
He doubted he could have such a serious conversation with her. She would not pay attention. She would be distracted by everything going on around them. Her wandering eyes always made Leander uncomfortable.
If she could pay attention to him, they might be able to resolve the matter between them.
But it was a solid and huge “if”.
“When it is appropriate, Father, I will do what is necessary.” That was not a lie and Leander was happy to say it. What was necessary was for him to break off this match and find a woman he could love. Miss Drusilla deserved as much.
Despite his lack of interest in her, he was sure there were other men who would be interested in her. She would not grow old and die a spinster. She had other prospects.
“I must tell you, son, the longer you wait, the more likely another lord of note will see the value of marrying her. They will take her from your clutches and you will be left out.”
Lord Price unknowingly made his son happy with that statement. Leander refused to smile at the thought of Miss Drusilla being distracted by another lord who was willing to put up with that peculiar smell for the rest of his life.
As long as it was not him, he was alright with that.
“I will do what I have to do, Father,” Leander said in a low voice, leaning forward to refill his teacup. “I hope you know I will.”
“I do, son. I am glad you are seeing the positive in this.”
Leander was not going to tell his father what he was really thinking. He would not marry Miss Drusilla and that was the long and short of it. He would marry a woman he loved.
If he never found that woman, he would remain a bachelor as long as he could.
Until after Miss Drusilla is married at least, he thought.
“Baron Wake is an interesting man, is he not?” Lord Price mimicked his son’s movements, refilling his tea and taking a pastry from the tray. “He is new to this part of London and I hear he is quite taken with it all. His father was prominent here and he has taken over the land.”
Leander was glad for a chance to talk about something other than Miss Drusilla.
“I have heard some interesting things about the man.”
“Oh? What have you heard?”
“He is a generous man, round and has a full beard. I am surprised I have not seen him before. Does he often hold house parties of this type?”
“His father did. I do not believe you attended any of them.”
“If I was not invited, I presume I did not know about them.” Leander could not help wondering why he would not be invited to any party that was held during the season. He was one of the most eligible bachelors in London who held a title and was an amiable sort.
