by Abby Ayles
“Because you have a soft heart and she’s your sister. That’s as it should be,” Lady Annabelle said firmly.
“I do not know where she gets that behavior from,” Lady Julia sighed. “I want her to be happy but sometimes it is very difficult for me.”
“You are a good sister, Lady Julia,” Lady Cecilia said. “I have seen her act younger than I am. And you defend her still. I applaud you for your patience and understanding. Whenever it gets difficult, you know we will be here to help you however we can.”
“Thank you so much,” Lady Julia replied in a soft voice. “I wish to see her happy and successful. Yet she seems so miserable all the time!”
The three fell silent, knowing why Lady Joanna was miserable. She, like her mother, could not get over the death of Luke. That trauma had caused Lady Joanna to retain a resentful attitude toward the world and anything in it. Her mother’s retreat from society was another blow to Lady Joanna that she was having a hard time handling. Lady Julia accepted Duchess Cartwright as a substitute mother and Lady Annabelle as a new sister, along with Lady Cecilia. They were family to her. Lady Joanna felt as though she had been abandoned when in actuality, she was given a new family in addition to the one she already had.
Lady Joanna did not see it that way and it only caused conflict. She did not act like a lady of eighteen, the way Lady Julia and Lady Annabelle did.
“I feel sorry for her.” Lady Annabelle put one arm around her friend and grasped her by the hand. “It will be all right, Lady Julia. You’ll see.”
Lady Cecilia giggled. “Lady Annabelle is usually right about these things, you know,” she said in an amused voice, her pretty eyes crinkling at the ends when she smiled.
“I truly do feel sorry for her.” Lady Annabelle lifted one hand and placed it on her chest. “She is such a sad girl inside, so lonely and depressed, even though she is with others who love her.”
Lady Julia shook her head. “She is lonely in a room filled with people.”
“We must speak about something else!” Lady Annabelle exclaimed. “We will do our best with her and be patient! She is your sister, after all. We must come to her defense.”
“She is not so bad, Lady Julia,” Lady Cecilia said, finally adding her two cents.
Lady Julia lifted one hand to giggle behind it. “I have two of the best friends a girl could ever ask for!”
The three of them gathered together in a free-for-all hug, laughing softly.
“Next time, she will come,” Lady Annabelle said as they separated. She rested her head briefly against Lady Julia’s head and smiled widely.
“I hope so.” Lady Julia sounded positive. She grinned at them.
“It is quite warm out here, is it not? I should have brought along my fan.” Lady Annabelle spotted a bench and made a beeline for it. “Let us sit in the sun for a spot and then return to our duties. What do you say?”
“Jolly good idea, Lady Annabelle,” Lady Julia was on her heels. “Jolly good.”
Chapter 2
The Duke of Cardinal, Stephen William Colbourn, was the youngest duke in South England. He was also the most well-known and well-liked. His reputation was immaculate, despite his young age and the fact that he had taken the title when he was but a mere sixteen years old. He was blessed with an uncle on his mother’s side, also a duke, who took him under his wing. He’d noted to dignitaries passing through that his young nephew was the fastest learner in all the Queen’s land and he was extremely proud of the lad’s progress.
At twenty, the Duke of Cardinal had solidified his reputation throughout England simply through word of mouth. If he had not met someone in person, they would know of his name all throughout England and in some other parts of the world, as well.
His father’s estate had been large and he owned many manufacturing businesses, making furniture, clothing and other odds and ends.
The Duke of Cardinal’s greatest passion, however, had nothing to do with the amount of money in his coffers. He was a lover of the arts, paintings, sculptures, and statues of old. He personally owned many masterpieces, which he proudly displayed in what he still considered his father’s mansion. It was difficult to let go of his father’s legacy and presence. It had been domineering and strong. His father had taught him till the age of sixteen and he considered himself a better man because he had listened.
As he rode in the carriage down the street toward Norrend, he thought about what beauties he was about to see. He was visiting with the duke and duchess to see if they had any paintings or artifacts they wanted to sell.
The Duke of Norrend had spread word of his intention to sell half of his collection. When asked why, his answer was that he had not displayed them for a long time and did not want their beauty to remain unseen.
The Duke of Cardinal was excited to see what was there. The Duke of Norrend had the paintings stacked in the cellar of his mansion, which, by all accounts, was quite vast. The Duke of Cardinal hadn’t been to visit the Cartwrights before. He had heard of them in name only, just as they had heard of him. Their reputation was as solid as his, though the duchess was said to be colder than her husband but amiable enough.
He was not worried about the duchess. He was not there to talk to her or discuss business with her. As a matter of fact, he doubted he would have two words to say to the woman, other than hello and goodbye. Maybe he would tack on a “Your Grace” or “madam” to be civil.
The Duke of Cardinal did not think of himself as a man who had time for frivolities like females. He saw no need to pursue anything of that nature until he was ready. He did not consider himself ready.
His mother, the Duchess of Cardinal, still lived, though her countenance was not the same. It had taken a great toll on her when her husband died. She reacted similarly to Lady Rickman, although she was perfectly capable of continuing to make good decisions regarding her children and life. She got out of the house, attended balls and parties, socialized often with the people of the ton. They regarded her highly. But she was rarely seen with a smile unless she was looking at the Duke of Cardinal. He was her pride and joy. She expected great things from him, and great things were what he had given her. He loved her dearly and vowed to always take care of her.
His trip to the Norrend mansion was made even more special to him because they owned a valuable piece of artwork by the great Tiziano Vecellio, an Italian painter known for his colorful style and unique brushstrokes.
He had created many beautiful paintings in many different styles, including portraits of individuals, landscapes, and mythological subjects.
He was very well-liked and his mother practically worshipped his work. There were three of the sixteenth-century Venetian painter’s works of art hanging in the Colbourn mansion already. He was proud of them and hoped to purchase another for his mother from Duke Cartwright.
He’d heard the duke had procured the Salome with the Head of John the Baptist or Judith, a religious work that depicted a woman holding the head of John the Baptist while a maiden looked on. His mother considered this to be one of the most beautiful works of art ever to be painted.
“It’s a portrait of beauty and sadness,” she would say when seeing it in a volume of famous paintings.
He was excited to get a chance to put his hands on the actual painting, should the duke still have it. He leaned to the window and looked out at the mansion on the hill. It had a winding roadway up to the house. It was lined with trees on both sides but he could see how it wound up the side, following a flowing stream that ran along the right side of it.
The hill the mansion was sitting on was dotted with sculptures, fountains, shrubs, flowerbeds, and the prettiest green grass the Duke of Cardinal had seen in quite some time.
The carriage rolled smoothly over the graveled road and he was impressed by the care the duke was taking with his landscaping. It was quite beautiful.
The Duke of Cardinal continued admiring the duke’s land until they reached the front doors. He step
ped out of the carriage and nodded at the driver, who would stay until the Duke of Cardinal was ready to leave.
He went up to the front doors. Before he could knock, it was opened by a young woman in a uniform, carrying a burlap sack. She paled when she saw him and nearly dropped the sack. He reached down and steadied it in her hands.
“I… I apologize, my lord. I am so very sorry.” She curtsied to him several times.
“Do not worry yourself, young lady. I am the Duke of Cardinal. Your master is expecting me. Will you have me announced?” While he spoke, he took the bag from her and placed it to the side. She looked down at it and then back to him, her face red.
“Yes, Your Grace, of course. Please follow me.”
The Duke of Cardinal did so after she took his hat, cane, and the light cape he’d been wearing. It was not a cold day but it was somewhat humid and he did not like the feel of it. She put the cape over one arm and held the hat and cane in the other. She went to the third door on the right, passing the curving staircase that would take a visitor to the bedrooms upstairs.
“He is in his study, my lord. I’ll announce you.” She opened the door and poked her head in to see if the master was in the room. “My lord? His Grace, the Duke of Cardinal, is here to see you.”
The Duke of Norrend raised one hand, looking up at the young maid over his eyeglasses. “Tell him to come in, please, Mary.”
The girl went in the room and held it open for the Duke of Cardinal, who passed by her with a curt nod. “Thank you, Mary,” he said in a low voice. She colored again, lowered her eyes and nodded. She was out the door and closing it behind her just moments later.
The Duke of Cardinal looked at the Duke of Norrend, who had stood up and was holding out his hand. “Hello, Duke Colbourn. I trust your trip was a good one.”
“It was, thank you, Your Grace. How has your day been?”
“Productive, for the most part. Please sit.”
The Duke of Cardinal sat in a chair closer to the window. The Duke of Norrend came around his desk and sat in another chair that faced Colbourn at an angle. “Tell me,” the Duke of Norrend said, “how is your mother faring? A fine woman, she is. I was saddened to hear her condition has not gotten better since the death of your father.”
“It has been four years, my lord,” Colbourn replied. “And I fear she will never recover. I am glad that she chooses to continue with her social life but I miss her smiles. I would do all I could to make them come back.”
“I am sure you do your best, Colbourn. It is a matter of the heart that we cannot fathom. I must admit, I fear the day I will lose my beloved, Louise, though she is a bit difficult at times.”
The men smiled at each other.
“Women are a conundrum,” the Duke of Cardinal said, shaking his head. “I have not met one yet that has struck me to be less than extremely complex.”
“Complex, yes, for all of womankind. Difficult? Louise would fit in the latter category. There is a difference.”
“I have no experience to use as examples to debate with you on that fact, my lord. I will bow to your superior knowledge.”
The Duke of Norrend laughed. “I am glad you have come, Colbourn. I do hope you plan to attend the ball at the Conservatory this evening.”
“I heard of it and have brought the appropriate attire,” Colbourn replied. “I am looking forward to it. I do not believe I have been in this area before to attend such an event. I believe it will be quite a lot of fun.”
“I do hope so. I insist you ride with us. There is no need for you to attend solo. I have opened my home to you and am obligated to ensure you are entertained, as well as satisfied with our business dealings.”
The Duke of Cardinal nodded. So far, the reputation of Duke Cartwright held strong. He was a decent man, intelligent and well-spoken. The Duke of Cardinal could tell they would become friends. Perhaps he would learn from the duke, since the man was twice his age. “That is excellent, my lord.”
“Shall we take a look at the paintings I have in storage now?”
“I would certainly like that.” Colbourn felt a jolt of excitement pass through him. Duke Cartwright was a man who liked to get things done right away. That was the Duke of Cardinal’s kind of man.
He stood up and followed the Duke of Norrend to the door. Before they got to it, it was opened and a young woman ran in. Her dark blond hair was pulled back in two braids.
Some of the strands had strayed from the braids and were curling around her face. She halted in place. He noticed when her hazel eyes moved to him.
He was somewhat taken aback by her beauty. She had glowing skin, small dark pink lips, high cheekbones, a tiny button nose.
She was the ultimate beauty. In all the paintings he had ever seen – and he’d seen quite a few – the Duke of Cardinal had never seen a more beautiful woman in his life.
He stood back, waiting for Duke Cartwright to introduce him to this lovely young woman. All the women he had encountered who had their fair share of beauty had turned out to be ugly inside. Greed, jealousy, and lust were abounding. He was not that type of man.
He looked at the young woman, wondering if she was ugly on the inside. From her face and form, it could not be told. He thought of her as angelic from the moment she stepped into the room.
“Duke Colbourn, allow me to introduce my eldest daughter, Lady Annabelle.”
The Duke of Cardinal took Lady Annabelle’s outstretched hand, bent at the waist, and gave the top of her glove a kiss.
“Charmed, I am sure.” He turned to look at the Duke of Norrend. “You have no need for beautiful paintings, my lord. You have a lovely beauty right here in your home.”
The Duke of Norrend smiled widely, turning his eyes to his daughter. “She is a lovely girl, you are right. And a beautiful soul, as well.”
Lady Annabelle laughed, covering her mouth for a moment. “Oh, Father, you do flatter me. That’s why I love you so much. Well, it is not the only reason.”
The three of them laughed, the first time that Lady Annabelle would hear the sound of the Duke of Cardinal’s joy.
She liked it very much.
Do you want to find out how the story continues?
Click on the link below:
http://abbyayles.com/AmB023
Also by Abby Ayles
● The Lady, The Duke And The Gentleman
● A Broken Heart’s Redemption
● Falling for the Governess
● The Lady’s Gamble
● The Lady’s Patient
● Saving Lady Abigail
● Engaging Love
● Portrait of Love
● A Mysterious Governess for the Reluctant Earl
● Loving A Lady
● Redeeming Love for the Haunted Ladies
● The Secret to the Ladies’ Hearts
● Falling for the Hartfield Ladies
● Capturing the Viscount’s Heart
● The Odd Mystery of the Cursed Duke
● Secret Dreams of a Fearless Governess
● A Second Chance for the Tormented Lady
● The Lady in the Gilded Cage
● The Mysteries of a Lady’s Heart
