by Abby Ayles
“Splendid!” Lord Drake intoned. “I shall ride home tonight, of course, and make all of the arrangements for your arrival there tomorrow.”
It was quite as if everyone there had forgotten that they had come to celebrate the union of Lord and Lady Andrews. Rodrick wasn’t exactly surprised that Alphonse had managed to turn the evening into something about him.
The evening didn’t go on much longer before the small band of musicians started up their songs and people began to dance. Rodrick watched with chagrin as Lord Drake danced with Lady Noelle, then Lady Catherine, and then Lady Noelle again. The marquess was indeed making more of an effort to behave, but Rodrick noticed that the man was far more familiar with Lady Catherine than was entirely decent.
Lady Noelle did an excellent job of playing her part. She danced with Lord Drake and continued to be all smiles and laughter with him. Even though Rodrick knew that it was just polite, he felt a pang of jealousy.
He had to wonder if her expressions really were false, especially while they danced a second time. He’d never seen her look so fondly upon Alphonse. Perhaps it was because she was finally receiving what she’d been after.
Lady Noelle had been hoping to catch Alphonse’s eye the entire time Rodrick had known her and now she had gotten exactly what she wished for. Rodrick knew that he should feel happy for her, and yet all he could feel was sorrow and jealousy.
Leaving the Salisbury family cluster, Rodrick sidled up to James when his cousin had a moment between dances with Lady Catherine himself. “I think I’m going home now,” he told James, feeling guilty even as he said it. He didn’t wish to leave his cousin there by himself, but he didn’t wish to dance with anyone other than Lady Noelle and she was preoccupied.
He knew that his mother was sitting at home, wanting to hear about how things had gone. He wasn’t going to stop Lady Noelle from having fun just because he wasn’t.
James raised his eyebrows at him in surprise and confusion. “Oh, are you? But the night is young and Hertfordshire isn’t so far…”
Rodrick shook his head a bit. “My mother will be missing me. I think she’d gotten so used to coming along. I wish I could’ve invited her, but…”
James looked from him to Lady Noelle, as if he could completely read his cousin’s mind. “Ah, I see,” he said sympathetically. Then he gave a nod.
“Well, I shall miss you but you must do what you think is best.”
Rodrick nodded back at his cousin, wishing that leaving the party was not currently what was ‘best.’ He gave one final look to Lady Noelle and then he walked out of the ballroom and into a waiting carriage.
The ride home was not an enjoyable one, but at least it was relatively short. When he got home to Wildhill, he went in search of his mother right away and found her in the sitting room in front of the fireplace, knitting.
She smiled at her son, though she seemed surprised to see him there. “Home so soon?” she asked him. “I thought you would be at the party until I went to bed.”
Rodrick shook his head and collapsed into one of the wing chairs there. “There really was nothing for me there. I didn’t know anyone and Jamie was preoccupied with Lady Catherine. It was a bit boring for me.”
His mother gave him a knowing look. “Ah,” she said. “I suppose that makes sense… I’m sorry you didn’t have a better time.”
Rodrick shrugged his shoulders. “I had been a little uncertain about it, as you know. But Lord Drake has invited the ladies to Stone Hill Manor tomorrow and I’m thinking of perhaps paying a visit to see how they’re getting along.”
He wondered if he should ask Alphonse if it would be all right, but he knew that Alfie shouldn’t really mind if he just appeared there. After all, Rodrick thought, he does that here all of the time.
As hurt as he was at Lady Noelle’s sudden change, he still smiled at the thought of seeing her again. He didn’t think that she would keep up the charade forever if she truly was not interested in Alfie, and he rather liked the idea of being there as her ally. She thinks of me as someone who understands her for who she really is, Rodrick reminded himself.
“It’s been a while since you’ve been to Stone Hill,” his mother said agreeably. “Do make sure you give my regards to the Duke of Cumberland. He’s had an awful go of it, of late.”
Rodrick nodded his head. “I will certainly do that for you if he indeed can be seen at all. The stories that Alphonse has been telling lately paint a rather ill picture of the man.”
He didn’t wish to judge the man based entirely on stories, but he had nothing else to go off of. He supposed that the Duke of Cumberland could be a bit like the Earl of Montgomery – old and curmudgeonly but nothing worse than that.
He didn’t get along very well with Alfie, but Rodrick was starting to understand that. Perhaps he was more in the right about things than the marquess gave him credit for.
Only time would tell, of course. Rodrick was determined not to make up his mind about anything until he’d seen and learned more about how things really were. Much like the situation regarding Lady Noelle’s opinion of Alfie, he was going to try to keep an open mind about how things might be at Stone Hill Manor.
Rodrick went into his bedroom that night, feeling much better about things. He supposed that he ought to stop in and see James the following morning before he went to Stone Hill. He was eager to hear how the party had continued in his absence.
Chapter 23
Despite her reservations, Noelle woke the next morning and watched as the servants at her family’s Thornwood mansion packed up her things for the visit at Stone Hill Manor. She, Catherine, and her mother were going to stay there for two nights. She hoped that they would come away from the house feeling as if they were on better footing with the marquess.
She was so sad when she realized that Mr. Edwards had left the party without saying goodbye. She hoped that he didn’t assume, because she was dancing with Lord Drake, that she’d lost all interest in him.
As soon as Edith had helped her into her traveling dress, Noelle went down the stairs and met her sister and her mother in the drawing room. “It was so strange to stay the night without everyone else, wasn’t it?” Catherine asked her, but she was smiling in such an excited way that Noelle doubted very much that she minded it.
“This house really is much too grand to be living in without the others,” their mother agreed. “But then, that is why it’s meant to be a family home.” She eyed Noelle a bit when she said that, as if she was trying to make some point.
Noelle avoided rolling her eyes at her mother. “Shall we go?” she asked instead, ready to get this visit over with. She didn’t anticipate that staying at the home of the Marquess of Fairfax and his father, the Duke of Cumberland, was going to be quite as pleasant as her and Catherine’s time at Wildhill.
The marquess had surprised her a little at Lydia’s wedding party, however, when he actually paid attention to her. She had not expected him to ask to dance with her even once. He still spoke to Catherine far more, though, which led her to believe that his feelings hadn’t really changed about her.
She wondered why he’d had a sudden change in manners, though. Instead of completely leaving her out of things, he was making more of an effort to include her and make her feel that her company was desired.
The ladies walked out of their house and got into the coach that would take them to Stone Hill Manor. The ride was going to be about three hours, and Noelle had every intention of trying to nap through most of it, just in case she found it difficult to sleep in the new and strange lodgings.
I wonder a little what the Duke of Cumberland is really like. Everything that I’ve heard from his son would indicate that he is not altogether a pleasant man, but he is awfully inviting to allow us to stay in his home for a few nights. Granted, that is far more likely Lord Drake’s doing than his.
She hoped that they would not be taking the poor old man off guard by their arrival. Lord Drake had assured them that he
would ride on ahead and inform his father of their visit, but she did not have the most confidence in that gentleman. Then again, what reason has he to lie about it?
When at last their coach arrived at Stone Hill Manor, they were escorted at once into the mansion by an overzealous butler. “Come in, come in, the masters don’t like to be kept waiting,” he said, practically bruising Noelle’s arm in the process of coaxing her inside. She tried not to feel as if she was being led to her doom.
Stone Hill Manor was a beautiful and impressive piece of architecture, though. Noelle had to grant Lord Drake that. She could not recall the last time she had seen so much white stone and marble.
The home looked much more like an ancient castle than a simple estate house. The ladies were led into the massive drawing room and they sat together on the wide, sloping red and black couch. A grand pianoforte sat on the side of the room opposite.
I wonder which of them plays it, Noelle thought, trying to imagine the marquess ever sitting at the instrument and plunking out a tune. Then again, she supposed that he did enthusiastically attend the opera, and he seemed as though it hadn’t been his first time.
As much as it irked her, she had to admit that Lord Drake was mysterious and that made him interesting to her. She only wished that his particular form of interesting didn’t make her feel so cautious and on edge. She felt as though she had spent a great deal of time with him at this point, but she still did not really know him, nor did he know her.
She supposed that now was the perfect opportunity for them to get to know one another better. Of course, he also might have only brought her along because he wanted to get Kitty there and could think of no other way. She hoped that, if that was truly the case, their mother might see right through him and realize his ploy.
Noelle wanted to believe that the man had given up his relentless flirting with Catherine, but she couldn’t be sure. One good night did not fully reform a man. He may have been on his best behavior knowing that their father the duke was there to witness it.
They were left to sit in the drawing room for quite some time. Noelle wondered if perhaps Lord Drake hadn’t been as successful making plans as he’d promised. There was also a chance that his father didn’t take kindly to their intrusion.
As much as Noelle really didn’t wish to stay there, they’d come an awfully long way and she didn’t wish to be turned away now. It didn’t seem possible that a man like the duke would really do such a thing. Not that he had a glowing reputation already.
“Do you think he forgot that we were coming today?” Catherine whispered. “It doesn’t seem like Lord Drake to make us wait so long.”
Noelle didn’t share her own thoughts. She especially didn’t want to make her mother worry, because then they would never hear the end of it. “I think that it’s more likely that he and his father the duke are busy with something else.”
She thought that making them out to seem busy would make their delay less of an issue for her mother. For her own part, Noelle was starting to really think that they were just being rude and neglectful for reasons that she didn’t know. Why did he invite us here if he didn’t want us to actually come?
Right as she was about to wander into the hall in search of a servant who might know better, Lord Drake appeared in the doorway of the room. He grinned at her, Catherine, and their mother. “I’m so glad to see that you have come to visit me.”
Despite her unease, she smiled at him and nodded her head a little. “Thank you ever so much for inviting us. Your home is truly beautiful.”
That wasn’t even a lie.
She was surprised to see that it was possible – Lord Drake’s grin grew even bigger and he gave an exaggerated sort of bow. “Please make yourselves at home. My father and I would love to see you at dinner with us tonight. In the meantime, you likely need to rest up from your journey.”
He turned and called out to one of his servants. “Prudence, won’t you kindly show the ladies to their rooms?”
A young maid of about Kitty’s age – or possibly even Emily’s age – came into the room and gave a quick curtsy. “Right this way, my ladies.”
“Really, this is quite peculiar,” their mother complained when they were finally in their bedchamber. The room was large and it had two elegant beds in it. They shouldn’t want for comfort while they were there, but Noelle still wondered how she was ever going to be able to fall asleep in this old, cold palace.
“I’ve never been to stay in a home where the hosts weren’t consistently present,” their mother went on. “How dismissive of him!” As she said this, she allowed two maids to undress her until she was in her shift.
The duchess got into her bed and fluffed the blankets up a bit on top of herself. She gave an impressive yawn. “Still, perhaps a nap after our travels will be for the best; I daresay that I didn’t sleep that well last night for the nerves about coming here.”
Noelle was amazed to learn that their mother was nervous about staying with Lord Drake too. She thought that it had more to do with the atmosphere of the place than with the man himself. Her Grace seemed to really appreciate Lord Drake still.
The maids helped Noelle and Catherine into their shifts as well and they lay down together in the other bed. Closing her eyes, Noelle tried to sleep but sleep wouldn’t come. Her mind was all lit up with what Lord Drake might be up to and what he was planning for them while they were there.
She was the first to rise after only half an hour. She had a maid dress her in one of her fancier evening gowns. Then she quietly went from the room and down the grand, spiraling staircase to the drawing room again.
Catherine soon joined her down there, wearing a handsome dark-blue gown. She appeared grateful to find Noelle alone in the room for the moment. “I have something that I must confess to you,” she said to her sister, taking her by the hand as they sat together on the couch.
Noelle sucked in a breath, concerned about what her sister might say. “What is it?” she asked her. “Have you changed your mind about staying here?”
Catherine shook her head, smiling. “Oh, no. Quite the opposite… I must tell you that I sincerely do have feelings for Lord Drake.”
I was afraid of this. “But do you not remember our conversation?” Noelle asked, frowning a little at Catherine. “This is not the way that it’s supposed to happen.”
“Does that mean that you plan to accept him as your intended?” Catherine asked, looking at her expectantly. Noelle almost had to wonder if this wasn’t some kind of setup between Kitty and their mother.
“No,” Noelle said honestly, keeping her voice low in case the marquess or his father was listening, or having one of their servants listen in on their behalf. “I must confess that my feelings haven’t really changed towards him. I think that he and I would not make a very good match.”
Catherine nodded her head with sympathy. “I am so sorry to hear it,” she replied. “And Mother will be sorry to hear you say that as well.”
The trouble was that Noelle wasn’t sure if she would ever be able to admit this to their mother. She would rather enter into this loveless match than hurt her family. The marquess had all of the status and money that they would ever need.
He especially would when he became the new Duke of Cumberland.
As much as she knew that she didn’t love him, Noelle just had to accept all of this and get used to that growing feeling of unease and disappointment that came with it.
At least he is close friends with Mr. Edwards, she thought. So, I would always be able to see him.
Chapter 24
Rodrick set out to Stone Hill Manor in a hired carriage. James wished him well but would sit this one out. Rodrick had a feeling that it was more Jamie’s not wanting to see the Duke of Cumberland than it was him not wanting to go see Alphonse and the ladies.
He had to admit as he rode to the duke’s home that he was curious about how the old man might receive him, and the ladies as well. He wasn’t known for be
ing particularly welcoming. But then again, Rodrick was not one to listen to the rumors that spread like wildfire through the ton.
He didn’t take what he heard seriously, anyway.
When his carriage arrived outside of Stone Hill, Rodrick alit and went up the front steps to the door, followed by the driver who carried his trunk. He hoped that Alfie wouldn’t mind this, but he knew that he had more than enough extra guest rooms. Alphonse enjoyed entertaining people at his castle-like mansion, even if his father did not.
Stone Hill Manor had existed in some form since the middle ages. It truly was a castle from back then, and the only changes to it – apart from the ownership over the years – were inside in the furnishings and décor of the rooms. The place was quite beautiful, but it also was rather eerie, depending on how closely you explored it and how much of its history you knew.
