“A boat?”
Nicholas laughed. “I’m afraid not. On land only.”
“No need to go get it, my lord. We can walk.”
He smiled at her. “As you wish, my lady.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
JAMES’ HEROIC ACT
JAMES’ HEROIC ACT
“Plans have changed, my lady,” Clara said as soon as Anne Marie and Nicholas reached the small group that had exited the hotel. Anne Marie noticed Earl Kipling was struggling to keep a look of disdain from his face when he saw she was with Nicholas. The thought ran through her mind that she should spend more time in Nicholas’ presence in order to keep the Earl from getting ideas about a future with her.
“Oh?” Anne Marie looked at her curiously. “How so?”
“James neglected to mention that it is his birthday today. He is 23 years old!”
Anne Marie looked at the rest of the group but James was missing. “Has he gone to meet Tyler?”
“Yes, my lady.” Clara curtsied slightly to Nicholas. “I’m sorry, my lord. Good morning. How are you?”
“No need to apologize, Miss.” Nicholas said. “We are all friends here.” He looked down at Anne Marie. “I had assumed James would be gone. It would be unlike him not to keep to his commitments.”
Anne Marie nodded at him. She looked back at Clara. “So how have the plans changed? I thought we were only going for a walk in the park.”
The Earl spoke up to reply to her question, not waiting for Clara to speak. “Since James will be returning to the hotel before he comes to the park, we plan to put together a small party for him as a celebration of becoming another year older.”
“That sounds delightful and fun.” Anne Marie smiled up at Nicholas. “Surely you will attend, my lord?”
Nicholas nodded with a smile. “Most definitely. James is a good friend of mine. Now he is the same age.”
“Does that make a difference to you?” Clara asked, a small grin on her face, lifting her round cheeks and making her look prettier than usual.
Nicholas laughed softly. “Not at all, Miss. I do like to tease him, though. Now I will have to wait until I turn 24 to tease him again. My brother Steven is a year younger than him. And of course, Cameron is much younger, so he is not in the competition.”
“My lord,” Anne Marie said in a sly voice. “No matter how old he gets, he will never be older than you. There is no logical competition.”
This caused a chuckle to ripple through the small group.
“That is true, my lady. So true.”
“First we will take a quick walk to ease our stomachs after that large breakfast,” the Earl said, trying to look and sound cordial, his eyes stuck on Anne Marie. She could tell he wanted her to be holding on to his arm. The thought made her grip Nicholas even tighter. He noticed and glanced down at her. Then his eyes lifted to the Earl.
She looked up at him just as he lowered his head and coughed into his closed fist. She could see he was trying not to laugh. Her cheeks turned red but her spirit lifted. He practically emitted positive energy.
“Will you be joining us on our quick walk around the park, my lord?” Clara asked.
“I will be, yes.” Nicholas replied. “Would you care to ride in a coach or hackney? I can fetch one, if so.”
“No, the walking will do us good. It is a beautiful day.”
Both Anne Marie and Nicholas nodded. “That it is.” Anne Marie said. She pulled in a deep breath. “Just walking with Lord Cornwall this morning has refreshed me after a tiring day and night yesterday.”
“You did not sleep well?” As the group began to walk, Earl Kipling took up the spot next to Anne Marie on her other side, leaving Judith, Katrina, and Clara to walk behind them.
“I slept but had fitful dreams that made me feel like I had not even slept after I woke up. Do you know what I mean?”
The Earl and Nicholas both nodded. Before Earl Kipling could say anything, Nicholas said, “My mother and I share that trait. Sometimes my dreams are so vivid, they might as well have happened in real life. I remember them for years afterward. I still remember dreams I had when I was a young boy, growing up in a house full of siblings. I had many adventures with my brothers, though my oldest brother teased me incessantly.” He looked down at Anne Marie with soft eyes that made her feel warm inside. “I will admit that I often cried as a small boy because Tyler would constantly tease me.”
“What would he tease you about?” The Earl asked.
“I was a sick child, it seems. I was taken care of by a special nurse for the first six years of my life.”
“Oh, my.” Anne Marie breathed. “That must have been horrifying for your parents.”
Nicholas nodded. “They were sure that I would not live to see eighteen years of age. I have a mind they really didn’t expect me to live through my childhood.”
“Are you still sickly?”
“I am better than I used to be. I still have some problems and pains but I work through them. I have trouble sleeping sometimes. My brain is very active. I notice difficulties that other people are having and will lose sleep thinking about resolutions I might be able to pose to them.”
“That is very noble, my lord.” Anne Marie was impressed. She was happy that she had seen Nicholas now and happy that he had offered to walk with her.
He shrugged in response to her compliment. “I do not think I could behave in a different way. It is my nature to be this way. I get it from my mother. I share many traits with her.”
“She is a wonderful woman.” The Earl said. “She has done so much for the people of this village, along with your brothers and, of course, your father. I was just mentioning the other day how blessed I am for the opportunity to live here.”
“And we are glad to have you, my lord.”
“Thank you, Lord Cornwall.”
Anne Marie listened to them, wondering how the Earl could possibly maintain any ill feelings toward the young Lord Cornwall. Nicholas was a friendly, generous man with a big heart.
Just like his mother, Anne Marie smiled.
“I’m sure your brothers will be here for James to celebrate his birthday, will they not?” The Earl asked.
“Yes, it is very likely. I cannot imagine them staying away on such an important occasion.”
“James is very close to all of you, isn’t he?” Anne Marie asked.
“Yes, he is. He saved my life when we were young. It is something I will never forget even after my dying day. I will sing his praises in Heaven with the angels. Unless he departs this earth before me. Then I will sing his praises to the angels while he is there. He will not be embarrassed. It’s Heaven.” He said it in such a matter of fact way, it brought smiles to all the faces around him.
“How did he save your life, my lord?” Anne Marie asked. “Was that when you became such good friends with him? You and your brothers?”
Nicholas nodded. “Yes, it was an immediate bond. I owe him my life. It is not something that can be lightly repaid.” He spoke in an elevated tone. Anne Marie realized he was doing that so that Clara could hear him from her position behind them. They had almost reached the park.
“Shall we find a shady spot to sit in the grass so that you can tell us the story, my lord?” Anne Marie asked.
“That sounds like a fine idea.” Nicholas nodded. They crossed the street to the park, which was surrounded by a short black iron fence with knob and claw decorations at the top of each post. He reached out and swung open the gate, allowing the rest of them to pass in front of him.
When Anne Marie let go of his arm so she could pass through the gate, her hand suddenly felt cold. She was aware that the Earl was directly behind her and hoped she would not have to rebuff his advances if he were to offer her his own elbow. She turned to the right after she entered the park and waited for Nicholas. He stepped up and closed the gate behind him. He looked at her and she looked at him. The friendly look in his green eyes made her smile. It was her smile that see
med to prompt him to offer his elbow again.
Out of the corner of her eye, Anne Marie could see the Earl was practically fuming. His behavior at her obvious disinterest made her think he was not a very mature man. A title, as she had mentioned to Clara before, did not make a man worthy. It was his actions and his heart that made him worthy. She was afraid she would never be able to trust the Earl and would always be suspicious of his motives. She wasn’t sure what exactly prompted her to feel that way, since she didn’t know him very well. Regardless, it was how she felt.
She took Nicholas’ arm and pulled herself close to him again. She wondered if her behavior made Nicholas think she was trying to draw close to him, rather than avoid the Earl. Even though she had given in to her heart-felt thoughts about James, she couldn’t help grabbing the nearest man to keep her away from the advances of Earl Kipling. She knew Clara was watching what was going on. She could tell by the delighted look on her companion’s face that she was feeling more comfortable about the situation.
They quickly found the perfect tall tree to sit under while Nicholas told a fascinating story about James' heroism.
“My brothers and I decided to go swimming in the lake behind the mansion. I don’t know if you noticed it there.” He looked at each of them inquisitively. Unsurprisingly, Anne Marie and Clara had no idea what he was talking about but Judith, Katrina, and the Earl all nodded. “It was really very simple, what he did but for the age we were at the time, it was an incredible act of bravery. Father had a deck built so that we could take our canoes out when we wanted to. The four of us were sitting on the edge of the deck looking in the water.”
“If James was there, would that not make five?” Clara asked.
Nicholas shook his head. “Cameron was much too young to be out with us. He must have been just a baby at the time…yes… as I recall, he would have been about two years old. I was around six. Tyler was looking after us, though there were two maids on the shore, watching our every move. As it was, we were all sitting on the deck, our feet splashing in the water. We had been swimming for hours and we were tired. We were swinging our feet back and forth in the water, creating mighty splashes. I swung my feet a little too hard and ended up vaulting myself right off the deck. I shot down into the water like a heavy rock. Even though he was younger and smaller than me, James reached down without even leaving the deck himself and caught my hand. He pulled me back up with just that one hand and set me right down on the deck. It was quite amazing.”
“That is an amazing feat of strength, my lord!” Anne Marie said. “I am in awe!”
Nicholas nodded. “So were we. So were the maids. They came screaming, grabbing all four of us and hauling us back to the house.”
“I hope you did not get in any trouble. Nor the maids who were watching you.”
Nicholas shook his head. “No, they were excited to tell my parents what happened. We often went swimming out there, trying our best to get into as much adventure as we could. My parents trusted the women they sent to watch us. It wasn’t their fault I was reckless and almost drowned.”
“Would you not have been able to swim back to the surface yourself?”
Nicholas shook his head. “Even if I had been able to, there was no need. James reacted immediately and saved my life. I could have been severely hurt. Especially since my health has never been very good.”
“You seem like a strong man now. Do you still have the same weaknesses?”
Nicholas shook his head. “As I said, I am better and stronger as an adult. However, I still find myself feeling ill when there is no real reason for it. I live for the days when I can breathe fresh air, enjoy the sunlight, and be in the presence of good company.”
He was looking at Anne Marie when he said the words.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
A SMALL COMMUNITY OF FRIENDS
A SMALL COMMUNITY OF FRIENDS
Back at the hotel, the party was going full swing an hour later. People were coming and going, wishing James a happy birthday, and partaking of the cake his mother had made. She was also offering smaller snack cakes, berry-filled scones, and other delicacies that melted in Anne Marie’s mouth. She had remained by Nicholas’ side until Clara came over and sat down.
Nicholas looked at Anne Marie and leaned close to her saying, “It has been lovely speaking with you and walking with you today, Lady Anne. If you don’t mind, I will go and join my brothers and James.”
Anne Marie gave him a big smile. “Thank you for talking with me, my lord. You are a gentleman.”
He returned her smile and stood up, bowing to them both. “I will return later, if you wish.”
“Yes.” Anne Marie said quickly. “That would be wonderful.”
The two women watched him walk to the other side of the drawing room, where James and the other Cornwall sons were laughing about something. Tyler and James were seated, a chess board between them. Judith stood to the side, watching them play, giving them hints as to what move they needed to make next. They were teasing the woman, acting as though they did not want her advice and then asking for it when they realized they were stuck for their next move.
“You look so happy, Miss Anne.” Clara said softly.
Anne Marie nodded. “It was a lovely morning, wasn’t it, Clara?”
“Oh, yes. And the Duchess will be pleased that Nicholas has taken an interest in you.”
Anne Marie lost some of her smile. She watched the men in the corner, moving her eyes from James to Nicholas and back again. Both very handsome men. Both gentlemen in the deepest sense of the word. Despite the morning she had spent on the arm of Nicholas, the moment she was in James’ presence, she knew her feelings hadn’t changed. She had given her heart to James and did not know if she would be able to get it back to give it to someone else. She looked at Clara.
“I wish that it had made a difference, Clara, but it truly hasn’t.”
Clara looked confused. “What do you mean?”
Anne Marie looked back at the men. “I have already sent a letter requesting my uncle come and visit. I want him to meet James. I want him to release me from my obligation to marry into wealth and title.”
Clara frowned deeply, covering her mouth with one hand to hide her feelings. “My lady,” she said in a muffled voice. “You are thinking of pursuing James? You have not given up on that idea?”
“There is something about him, Clara. He took my heart. His touch is mesmerizing. His very presence makes me feel alive.”
“Oh, my lady,” Clara’s voice sounded mournful. Anne Marie looked at her once again.
“I know you are feeling the same way. Are you not?”
“I am.” Clara conceded. She looked as though she wanted to cry.
“I do not mean to hurt you, my friend.” Anne Marie said. “My feelings do not mean a marriage is forthcoming. Nor a courtship. I am simply telling you how I feel.”
Clara shook her head. “But, Miss Anne, if you set your mind to it, you can do anything. I have seen it before.”
“Not when men are involved.” Anne Marie tried to inject a bit of humor into the conversation. She succeeded in making Clara smile but it was an almost nonexistent smile. “Clara, I am sorry. I noticed that you have been spending a great deal of time with him.”
“It has not been as much as you may have thought,” Clara responded. “But I have enjoyed every moment of it. I… I also have feelings for him, Miss Anne. I’m sure you know that.”
“I did realize it, yes.”
“I do not think your uncle will let you marry a commoner. You would be giving up the fortune your parents wanted you to have on your 21st birthday.”
“I know.”
“Is that what you want to do?” Anne Marie could hear the hint of hope in Clara’s voice as she spoke. “Surely you do not want to become a pauper.”
Anne Marie laughed. “I hardly think the Ellingham's live like paupers, my dear.”
Clara shook her head. “No, in truth they do not. But
you would not have the wealth that you have experienced all your life. I also do not think James would want you to give it away in that manner. Not for a man.”
“I would not be giving it away for a man. I would be giving it away for love.”
“I do not think he would want that, my lady.”
Anne Marie looked at her closely. “Clara, has James spoken of me to you?”
Clara fell quiet, looking down at her hands which were folded in her lap. She was kneading her fingers through each other.
“He has, hasn’t he?” Anne Marie felt a bit of excitement run through her. “Tell me what he has said, please.”
Clara didn’t answer right away, prompting Anne Marie to repeat her question.
“Please, Clara, tell me what he has said.”
Clara looked over at the men, a look of desire obvious on her face. “He asked me about your situation. I didn’t want to tell him at first but I did. When we were speaking yesterday morning, he told me that he hoped that you would be able to find a man who possessed the things you needed to get your inheritance. He said he understood why you had been searching so long. It isn’t easy to find someone that you can truly love all your life and if the decision is your own, it is a careful one to make. He has friends who were forced into marriage by their parents because they had so little to offer and wanted their children to do better.”
“He does not think I am being forced into marriage?”
“No, he doesn’t look at it that way.”
“Has he said anything about me? What does he think of me?” Anne Marie would never have asked the questions of anyone else. She knew that Clara had strong feelings for the same man but would never have felt dignified asking such personal questions of anyone else.
“He thinks a great deal of you. He said yesterday that it would be a shame if you were unable to come into the wealth your parents left you simply because you wanted to make the decisions for how your life would be.”
The Trouble With These Gentlemen (The BainBridge - Love & Challenges) (The Regency Romance Story) Page 14
